NRL star Zac Lomax is officially a rugby union player after agreeing on a two-year contract with Rugby Australia and the Western Force, effective immediately.
He is an experienced rugby league player who made 133 appearances in the NRL after stints with the St. George Illawarra and Parramatta Eels clubs and he also represented New South Wales in the State of Origin series and Australia at international level.
Lomax, who plied his trade on the wing in rugby league, walked out on a three-year contract with Parramatta Eels last year and was heavily linked with a move to the rebel league, R360.
However, R360’s plans to launch its global rugby series next year have been pushed back until 2028 which meant there was uncertainty over the 26-year-old’s future.
He is expected to be used as an outside back or in midfield in rugby union and is expected to link up with his new club-mates at the Western Force when they return to Perth after their upcoming Round Five Super Rugby Pacific clash against the Hurricanes in Napier this Friday.
Could make his Super Rugby debut later this month
The Force will have a bye in Round Six of that competition and Lomax is expected to make his Super Rugby debut when the Simon Cron-coached team host the Chiefs in their Round Seven clash in Perth on March 28.
Lomax’s deal will give him a potential shot at the Wallabies and the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia and he is looking forward to representing the Force.
“I’m incredibly excited and thankful to be joining the Western Force after reaching an agreement with Rugby Australia to make the switch to rugby union,” he said.
“This is a huge opportunity and a challenge I’m really looking forward to embracing. Stepping into a new code will push me as a player and that’s something that genuinely motivates me.
“The chance to be part of what the Western Force are building and to test myself at the highest level of rugby union is something that really excites me. 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.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity and can’t wait to get started in Perth and begin this next chapter of my career.”
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Lomax is the latest high profile Australian rugby league player to make the switch to union after it was confirmed that Sydney Roosters duo Angus Crichton and ex-Wallaby Mark Nawaqanitawase will also be heading to the 15-a-side code.
Crichton is set to switch codes and join the Waratahs after signing a deal with Rugby Australia effective from 2027 while Nawaqanitawase will head to Japan to play rugby union for the Saitama Wild Knights later this year.
Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh is excited that Lomax has agreed to switch codes.
‘A superb athlete with a proven track record’
“Zac is a superb athlete with a proven track record at representative level in rugby league and we believe he has the talent and drive to make a successful transition to rugby,” he said.
“Zac brings a unique set of experiences and skills to our environment and is motivated by the challenge of competing on the global stage.
“We have entered an incredibly exciting period for Australian Rugby and Zac now has the opportunity to make a strong impression in Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific and push for higher honours as we approach a home Rugby World Cup in 2027.”
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Meanwhile, Force head coach Cron expects Lomax to make a big impact at the Force.
“Zac and Kayla came to Perth late last year and we spent some time together talking about the Force and how we want to play,” he said.
“He has remained in contact during the process and has always been extremely enthusiastic about the opportunity of joining the players who have chosen Perth as their home.
“Anyone who has seen Zac play knows what he will add. Combine that with his drive and professionalism and I have no doubt he will be extremely successful. “We are excited to get him started.”