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He might have paid a heavy price for R360 falling over, but homeless Origin star Zac Lomax could still shift codes after meeting with Super Rugby officials.
After the Brumbies expressed interest in signing the 26-year-old, the former Parramatta winger met with the Force in Perth on Tuesday and will continue his tour of the Super Rugby franchise on Wednesday.
The tour occurred less than a week after R360 – the Formula One-inspired travelling road show, which promised millions and threatened to change the rugby and rugby league landscape – fell over and was pushed back until 2028.
It came after Lomax, who was one of the tournament’s targets from the NRL, walked out on his $700,000-a-year deal at Parramatta last month, one season into his four-year deal.
While NRL boss Peter V’landys said he would welcome back Lomax, as well as former Storm star Ryan Papenhuizen back despite the threat of 10-year bans, the winger, as part of his release clause, can only return to the competition via the Eels.
That detail has muddied the waters around a return to the NRL.
Zac Lomaxcelebrates after scoring a try during game one of the Men’s State of Origin series at Suncorp Stadium on May 28, 2025 in Brisbane. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
The Roar last week reported that Lomax’s officials had also reached out to officials in France, while Major League Rugby in America is also an option.
Lomax would likely have to take a major pay cut to join a Super Rugby franchise, especially given most rosters are full.
That would mean Rugby Australia would likely have to come to the party if they wanted a piece of Lomax.
And given the Wallabies’ struggles in the air, as well as his profile, RA officials would likely consider Lomax’s worth.
The fact that Lomax doesn’t have a history in rugby union won’t help his bid to convince RA executives about spending big on the outside back.
However, RA boss Phil Waugh has long said he would keep an “open mind” around recruiting players from the NRL.
The Force currently has Wallabies winger Dylan Pietsch on thier books, while former All Blacks flyer George Bridge joined the franchise recently.