Zac Lomax has signed with Rugby Australia and will play for the Western Force for the next two years – the exact scenario that Peter V’landys didn’t want to happen. The Parramatta Eels hold the rights to Lomax’s future in the NRL until 2028, after he broke his contract with the club to try and join R360.
But when R360 fell over, Lomax was left in limbo. The Eels now have the final say on whether they’ll release Lomax to another NRL club before 2028, but a deal to join the Melbourne Storm also fell over.
Peter V’landys was hoping Zac Lomax would remain in the NRL. Image: Getty
The Eels had stated they’re willing to work on a deal with any NRL club that is keen on Lomax, but he’s now bitten the bullet and switched codes. The Force announced on Monday that Lomax has signed with Rugby Australia until the end of 2027 and will play for WA club
It means he’ll be available for potential selection for the Wallabies for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. Lomax was spotted at Rugby Australia headquarters last week, and has now finalised the code switch.
Peter V’landys was keen for Zac Lomax to stay in NRL
V’landys, the Australian Rugby League Commission boss, had publicly stated his preference was for Lomax to remain in the NRL rather than joining a rival code. It’s believed V’landys was happy for the Eels to send the State of Origin and Test winger to the Storm if a deal could be worked out.
“It’s always been my view to keep our best players. Zac is a marquee player. He’s an extraordinary player,” V’landys had said.
“One thing people have forgotten here and it’s a little bit sad, is that he’s also a human being. Yes, he tried to look at another deal and why would anyone knock a bloke that’s trying to do the best for himself?
“I’m an old-fashioned guy, where I believe a contract should be honoured. You sign a contract, you should honour it. But at the same time, I can see he’s a young guy that’s going to try to set himself up for life, and he looks at all opportunities.”
Zac Lomax will reportedly play rugby union for the next two years.
(Darrian Traynor via Getty Images)
Lomax will be joined by Roosters players Angus Crichton and Mark Nawaqanitawase, who will switch to rugby in 2027. Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i is already playing for the NSW Waratahs, and all four NRL converts could be playing for the Wallabies at next year’s World Cup.
Speaking last week, Sua’ali’i backed “special player” Lomax to thrive in rugby. “You’ve seen what he’s done in league. If the opportunity for him to come across, I think a lot of rugby people would love for him to come across,” he said. “I’m not sure what he’s going to do, but he can definitely play the game, I believe.”