{"id":825038,"date":"2026-07-26T14:11:08","date_gmt":"2026-07-26T14:11:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/825038\/"},"modified":"2026-07-26T14:11:08","modified_gmt":"2026-07-26T14:11:08","slug":"zac-lomax-set-to-leave-western-force-to-make-sensational-nrl-return","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/825038\/","title":{"rendered":"Zac Lomax set to leave Western Force to make SENSATIONAL NRL return"},"content":{"rendered":"

Zac Lomax\u2019s stint in rugby union is set to be a brief one after it was revealed that he will return to rugby league at the completion of his current contract with the Western Force<\/a>.<\/p>\n

On Sunday, a video was unveiled on social media of Lomax announcing his arrival to Papua New Guinea Chiefs fans at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.<\/p>\n

The Papua New Guinea (PNG) Chiefs are a rugby league club which was established in 2024, and they are scheduled to compete in Australia\u2019s National Rugby League (NRL) from the 2028 season.<\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s an absolute privilege\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cPNG, thank you very much guys. I just want to say, thank you so much everyone. It\u2019s an absolute privilege,\u201d said Lomax<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am super honoured to be committed to you guys, and it\u2019s such a great opportunity for all of us boys and everyone that is going to be coming over to the PNG Chiefs.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are going to shock the NRL, I am telling you and I can\u2019t wait to be a part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Earlier this year, it was announced that Lomax had agreed terms to a two-year contract with the Western Force<\/a> and he eventually made his debut for the Perth-based outfit in a Super Rugby Pacific<\/a> defeat to the Fijian Drua in Lautoka in April.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udea8PNG Chiefs announce Zac Lomax as their 5th signing pic.twitter.com\/MTM37VM1xb<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NRLCentral (@centralNRL) July 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Wallaby legend\u2019s verdict on \u2018aggressive style kid\u2019 who \u2018loves the smack\u2019 and what Test prop made of sharing room with the \u2018big, scary dude\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n

Walked out on a three-year contract<\/p>\n

Lomax, who plies his trade on the wing for the Force and in rugby league, walked out on a three-year contract with Parramatta Eels last year and was initially linked with a move to the rebel league, R360.<\/p>\n

Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a> for world-class coverage you can trust.<\/p>\n

However, R360\u2019s 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\u2019s future.<\/p>\n

That led to his move to the Force and he eventually made seven Super Rugby Pacific appearances for the Simon Cron-coached team.<\/p>\n

Lomax showed good touches in the 15-a-side code but was ruled out of selection for the Wallabies<\/a>\u2018 recent Nations Championship Tests due to a groin injury.<\/p>\n

However, he could represent the Australia A team who are set to face the USA Eagles in a two-match series in Nashville and New Jersey in October.<\/p>\n

The Wallabies will take on England Scotland and Wales in their end-of-year tour Tests during November.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: Wallabies: Les Kiss gives blunt verdict on which position he will use \u2018super athlete\u2019 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in<\/a><\/p>\n