Ryan Papenhuyzen leaves Melbourne Storm for potential Rugby 360 move

“He’s only 27 and I don’t think he’s retiring, it’s just a matter of what he does next,” Tripp said. “He’s a terrific player and person, he will always be Storm through and through. He’s one of the legends of our club and he’s respected by everyone. We mutually agreed that this was in everyone’s interest.”

Papenhuyzen’s agent, Clinton Schifcofske, admitted last month he had held discussions with R360 about the fullback.

There has been scant public information provided by Rugby 360 bosses, with most details about the competition’s starting date, and proposed schedule, teams and locations, coming via media reporting of R360’s correspondence with player agents.

Having gathered enough player interest for funding to be unlocked in September, R360 bosses have been urging players and agents to sign and return long-form contracts by November 1, according to informed sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Organisers have told agents they hope to announce 5-10 major signings next month to launch the competition, the sources said.

The prospect of being excluded from Test selection has scared off many rugby targets but a handful of Wallabies – past and present – are still contemplating big-money offers.

The threat of a 10-year ban in the NRL for any player, and their agent, who engages with R360 has also dramatically upped the stakes for the multiple league players who have also been targeted by the rebel competition.

Papenhuyzen has long been a fan favourite due to his distinctive mullet, courageous recovery from a potentially career-ending knee injury and his heroics in the No.1 jersey.

The former Australian Schoolboys star scored 635 career points in the purple jersey, ranking him sixth on the club’s all-time points scorers list. His 36-point performance against the Wests Tigers in round 10 this year remains the highest points scored by a Storm player in a match.

“I’ve loved my time at Melbourne Storm,” Papenhuyzen said. “I’ve enjoyed close to a decade of incredible memories and experiences in the purple jersey. Playing in front of the Storm fans every week has made my time in Melbourne something I’ll never forget.”

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It remains unclear what lies ahead for Asofa-Solomona. It’s less likely he will switch to R360 and several NRL clubs have baulked at his asking price, though a professional boxing career remains an option.

The departure of three Storm stars, coupled with persistent speculation about whether next year will be coach Craig Bellamy’s last, has prompted some pundits to suggest Melbourne are experiencing a changing of the guard.

“There’s only one change to our team from the grand final and that’s Sua for Paps,” Tripp said. “And we’ve got some firepower to go to market to improve the roster over the next couple of years … we’re not expecting to go backwards.”

The Storm have traditionally been able to attract players for under their market value because of their incredible record of improving talent and competing for titles. Now they will be armed with a seven-figure war chest just as one of their former forwards, Gold Coast and Australian star Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, has opted to test his value on the open market.

The Storm also have an interest in fellow Titan Cooper Bai, a talented teen back-rower who is also the son of former Melbourne winger Marcus Bai.

There will be no shortage of suitors for Bai junior, with the Roosters among several clubs expected to jockey for his signature.