‘We’ll see’: Ryan Papenhuyzen not willing to rule out future R360 move as plans for gap year confirmed
Ryan Papenhuyzen has broken his silence on his future plans, speaking for the first time about his links to R360, and confirming whispers that he was looking at embarking on a gap year before continuing in elite sport.
It has been just over a month since Papenhuyzen stunned the NRL and announced that he had been granted an immediate release from the final year of his deal at the Storm.
The star fullback’s departure only fuelled rumours that he was making the switch to rebel start-up league R360, which was set to kick off at the end of 2026.
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R360 organisers have since confirmed that the competition has been delayed and will not begin until 2028, leaving the fate of several stars in limbo.
Since announcing his exit from the NRL, Papenhuyzen’s camp has been clear that he has no plans to sign with any team in any code next season.
Ryan Papenhuyzen participates in the Pro-Am prior to the Crown Australian Open 2025. Getty
However, that does not mean he will not ever entertain lucrative deals, especially those from R360, over the next 12 months.
“Next year, definitely I am set in taking it off from being a professional athlete,” he told 3AW reporter Kiara Parker on the course at the Royal Melbourne on Wednesday.
“It’s hard to say right now (if I will ever return to the NRL). If I really enjoy what I’m doing next year, then probably not.
“I feel like people change careers all the time and I felt like my time was to do that for next year … if I like what I’m doing, then I’ll stick with that.”
Asked if R360 was still on his radar despite being delayed, Papenhuyzen had a simple response.
“Right now, I’m just looking at what’s next year,” Papenhuyzen said.
“It’s hard to predict that’s gonna happen or what’s gonna happen.
“You’d be silly not to entertain it, especially if you’re a younger player and you wanna experience that side of things.
“For me, it’s really (about) diving into this field of giving back and helping out. We’ll see where that takes me if it doesn’t work out, maybe we’ll see.”
Papenhuyzen has already started his plans to give back to the sports he has grown up playing, transitioning into a mental performance coaching role.
The 27-year-old said he has benefitted significantly throughout his career by working with mental performance coaches and hopes he can provide that help to others.
“I want to be able to give back and learn. I feel like I have a lot to offer in that space,” he said.
Ryan Papenhuyzen in action for the Storm. Getty
“I’m learning as much as I can, meeting up with life and mindset coaches to see how I can go about it. I am also getting some experience with some young athletes.
“I am really enjoying it, I could see myself doing it too.”
Papenhuyzen confirmed that the Storm have not attempted to lure him back after he cut ties with the club while still contracted.
But one thing is for certain, a career change to golf is not on the cards.
“For the first six holes, I thought it could’ve been [my next career],” Papenhuyzen laughed, preparing for the Australian Open Pro-Am.
“Then it just fell off, so definitely not a career path going forward.”
Watch the 2025 Australian Open live and free on Nine and 9Now.
