The Parramatta Eels’ ambitious efforts to secure a cornerstone for their forward pack have reportedly hit a wall. In a major recruitment blow for new coach Jason Ryles, the club’s high-stakes pursuit of South Sydney Rabbitohs powerhouse Keaon Koloamatangi has reached an unsuccessful conclusion. Despite a massive multi-year offer that reportedly hit the seven-figure mark per season, the representative second-rower is expected to remain in Redfern, dealing a significant setback to the Eels’ 2026–2027 roster overhaul.
Koloamatangi, a dual international who has represented both Tonga and the NSW Blues, has been the most sought-after forward on the open market. The Eels viewed the 27-year-old as the perfect marquee addition to lead a rebuilding pack, especially following the high-profile departure of winger Zac Lomax, which freed up significant space under the salary cap.
The Mammoth Offer: Parramatta’s Aggressive Pitch
Intent on bringing a “hard-edged” identity back to Western Sydney, the Eels reportedly tabled a four-year deal worth over $1 million per season. Jason Ryles personally met with Koloamatangi and his management to pitch the vision of a “new-look” Parramatta built around the star forward’s explosive running game and defensive mobility.
The offer was designed to blow rival suitors out of the water. Along with the Eels, the St. George Illawarra Dragons had also made a sensational play for Koloamatangi, famously flying the forward to their Wollongong facilities via helicopter. However, the prestige of the Eels’ offer—combined with their desire to make him the highest-paid forward in the club’s history—seemed to put them in the box seat before the deal ultimately collapsed.
The Rabbitohs’ Defensive Masterclass in Retention
While the Eels offered more money, the South Sydney Rabbitohs leaned on the “loyalty” factor and the influence of master coach Wayne Bennett. The Rabbitohs have faced a grueling 12 months of roster turnover, but losing Koloamatangi—who was arguably their best performer in a difficult 2025 season—was deemed unacceptable by the Heffron Park hierarchy.
South Sydney’s counter-offer, while reportedly lower than the Eels’ seven-figure bid, provides the security of a long-term future at the only club Koloamatangi has ever known. With established leaders like Cody Walker advocating for him to remain a “one-club player,” the emotional ties to the Bunnies proved stronger than the lucrative lure of a move to Parramatta.
Ryles and the Eels Forced to Pivot
The “not successful” outcome of the Koloamatangi chase leaves a glaring hole in the Eels’ long-term strategy. While the club has successfully extended young fullback Isaiah Iongi through to 2030 and secured the services of utility Dylan Walker, they are still missing a “big fish” in the forwards to replace the outgoing veterans.
With the November 1 deadline for 2027 contracts already in the rearview mirror, the Eels must now scan the market for alternative targets. Rumors suggest the club may turn its attention to Leo Thompson or look toward the Super League to find the physical presence required to compete with the NRL’s elite. For now, the “deal collapse” serves as a reminder of the immense difficulty in prising top-tier talent away from the Rabbitohs’ core.