![\"Zac](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/60e6afdd6efa9713906ef120252b1c6feecca204.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n\u201cIt\u2019s me that\u2019s made the decisions and it\u2019s me that has the consequences … it\u2019s my decision and they\u2019re the ones that I\u2019ve made, but it\u2019s one that I stick by.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me, it was initially to go and play rugby union. And I\u2019ve been in constant communication with the (Force) team, and here we are.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Zac Lomax with RA boss Phil Waugh at his press conference in Sydney.Credit: Ben Symons \/ SMH<\/p>\n
Grilled about whether the Eels\u2019 hardball stance and whether rugby was a \u201cplan B\u201d given he recently tried to join the Storm, Lomax sidestepped most questions and said he was only keen to look ahead.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s obviously been a whole heap of scenarios that have come out,\u201d Lomax said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt definitely hasn\u2019t been ideal, but at the same time, to be able to make a decision and move on from it, it\u2019s positive, that\u2019s my focus.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been able to make a decision now, and I want to just be able to move on from it. I can\u2019t wait to get over to Perth and become the best rugby union player that I possibly can. I know I\u2019ve got a lot to learn, and that\u2019s something that truly excites me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lomax said he was \u201cso thankful and so fortunate enough to be able to have a successful career in the NRL\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love everything that they\u2019ve been able to give me and my family, and I\u2019ve been able to play the game at the highest level, and that\u2019s something that I\u2019m super proud of. I\u2019ve played with Parramatta and the Dragons, and was pursued with Storm to try and make something happen, but obviously results didn\u2019t allow that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been so thankful and grateful for everything that rugby league has given me, but, you know, this is the future and I\u2019m leaving at the peak of my career in rugby league terms. But it\u2019s something that motivates me … I\u2019m going to start to build the game (rugby union) from the ground up for me as a player, and that\u2019s something that motivates me. I want to test myself.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want to get to the end of my career and think about, you know, should I have given that a crack.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Zac](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/5615fea4dee9a8dd4ae40de48619b173dddf5d7c.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
Zac Lomax poses after signing with Western Force and the Australian Rugby at Rugby HQ.Credit: Ben Symons \/ SMH<\/p>\n
Lomax said he\u2019d played rugby at school until 2015, and then moved to league full-time with the Dragons. He said he\u2019d been impressed with Force coach Simon Cron in their meetings, and has sought advice from Wallaby Angus Bell and fellow code-switcher Sonny Bill Williams.<\/p>\n
Lomax said he has aspirations to play for the Wallabies and becoming a dual international but knows he has a lot of work ahead.<\/p>\n
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Asked about his quote in the RA press release that rugby is a \u201ctruly international sport\u201d, which NRL figures took as a shot at the 13-man game<\/a>, Lomax said it was not intended as a dig at league.<\/p>\n \u201cComments can be taken many different ways, but for me, it\u2019s the reality is that rugby is a truly global sport,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s played in more than 100 different countries, and I guess from my point of view, like, that\u2019s something that absolutely attracts me as a player \u2026 the travel that they do (around) the world. Everyone that I speak to in regards to rugby and playing for the Wallabies and travelling all around the world, that\u2019s the first thing that makes their eyes light up.\u201d<\/p>\n