Penrith captain Nathan Cleary says Zac Lomax "jumped the gun" by leaving his Eels contract for R360 as the NRL world waved goodbye to the NSW winger – several with some choice words – who has joined the Western Force on a two-year deal.
The former Parramatta winger announced on Monday he was switching codes but it was his statement via Rugby Australia that pricked the ears of several in the 13-man game.
"Like any player, the dream of one day representing the Wallabies on a truly international stage, and potentially competing at a Rugby World Cup, is a powerful motivation," the statement said, with some interpreting it as loaded against rugby league's global influence.
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Speaking on Nine's 100% Footy, Cleary was somewhat diplomatic about the news, saying it's a shame one of the game's stars has walked away.
"Zach was probably jumped the gun a bit early, leaving Parra, but we're also losing such a great player from our game"
However, others saw his comments via Rugby Australia as a parting shot to the game that gave him so much.
"So it's disappointing to hear a comment like that," Perth Bears coach Mal Meninga told The Sydney Morning Herald. "Rugby league has given Zac every opportunity in life. He'll probably regret saying that down the track."
Fellow former NSW winger Josh Morris said the game had a way of "moving on."
"He's a great player. Let's not get that wrong," he said on 2GB's Wide World of Sports.
"He played for New South Wales and Australia, but look, we move on from people as soon as they leave.
"Someone else comes and steps up and they're soon forgotten about. I'm glad that he's going somewhere.
"He's probably cost himself a lot of money in the long run. He took a gamble, it didn't pay off."
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The move comes after Lomax was blocked from joining a rival NRL team until 2028, after a messy attempt at leaving the Eels to join the Storm, which came after Lomax's move to breakaway competition R360 was scuppered.
His signing means there is a chance Lomax could play for the Wallabies at the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
"It's disappointing to hear that when you think St George Illawarra were great to him, Parramatta were great to him, and Melbourne wanted to be great to him," former NSW forward Mark Geyer told the SMH.
"He's basically given the code both fingers.
"I hope it's the last we see of him. That comment was as subtle as a sledgehammer. It's not what you say but how you say it. If that wasn't a two-fingered salute to rugby league, I don't know what it is. Let him go and try and play in his World Cup."
International Rugby League chairman Troy Grant was also not as forgiving as some.
"It's nice to hear about Zac's dream of representing the Wallabies, which comes less than two weeks after losing his court case to play with Melbourne," Grant said.
"His departure from international rugby league is of no consequence – and he will have no impact on rugby union. All I can say, 'Don't let the door hit you on the arse on the way out'."
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