Rugby League Star Zac Lomax Makes Shock Code Switch to Western Force, Eyes Wallabies World Cup Dream
In a significant development for Australian rugby, former NRL playmaker Zac Lomax has officially signed a two-year deal with the Western Force. This move sees the talented athlete pivot from rugby league to rugby union, with a clear ambition to represent the Wallabies at next year’s home Rugby World Cup.
The ink is barely dry on Lomax’s contract with the Perth-based Super Rugby Pacific franchise, which will see him play for the remainder of the 2026 season and the entirety of 2027. This agreement provides him with a crucial window to prove his mettle in the 15-man game and potentially earn a coveted spot in the national squad before a potential return to rugby league in 2028.
Lomax, who has been a prominent figure in the NRL, expressed his excitement about the new challenge. “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,” he stated. “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.”
He further elaborated on his enthusiasm for the Western Force’s vision. “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.”
A Tumultuous Path to Rugby Union
Lomax’s transition to rugby union follows a period of significant uncertainty regarding his NRL future. The New South Wales State of Origin star had initially sought a move to the Melbourne Storm for the current NRL campaign after departing the Parramatta Eels in October last year. His departure from the Eels was linked to the now-defunct R360 competition.
However, a stipulation in his release from the Eels presented a significant hurdle. It stipulated that he could not join another rugby league club until the end of 2028 unless he obtained written consent from the Eels. This clause complicated his desired move to the Storm, leading to a NSW Supreme Court hearing that was scheduled for last week. Ultimately, the parties involved reached a resolution, paving the way for his return to the NRL in 2028 and opening the door for his code swap.
Court documents from the legal proceedings also shed light on the financial aspects of his potential move to rugby union. It was revealed that Lomax had received an initial offer from Rugby Australia in December of the previous year, which was reportedly below the $700,000 annual salary he commanded at Parramatta. A revised offer from Rugby Australia four days later also fell short of his expectations. Despite these initial financial discrepancies, the Western Force confirmed that they had maintained contact with Lomax since that time, indicating a sustained interest in securing his signature.
A Growing Trend of Code-Hopping
Lomax’s decision to switch codes is not an isolated incident in Australian sport. He follows in the footsteps of other high-profile rugby league players who have made the transition to rugby union. Notably, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is set to make a similar move at the end of 2024, and NSW Waratahs are poised to welcome fellow Blues teammate Angus Crichton.
Crichton, who has a background in the 15-man game from his junior years, expressed his empathy for Lomax during his NRL ordeal. “He put himself in that position so I’m not going to say I felt sorry for him, but as a person you do have care for people,” Crichton commented. “He was in a pretty compromised position but it’s good to see that he’s come out of it because he’s a quality player.”
Crichton is confident in Lomax’s ability to succeed in his new environment. “He’ll be good (at rugby). He’s a great athlete, he’s a good player. He’ll go well wherever he is.”
This sentiment is echoed by Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who has described Lomax as a “special player” with the potential to make a significant impact at the Wallabies level. “I think a lot of rugby people would love for him to come across,” Suaalii remarked recently. “He can definitely play the game, I believe. Zac has the aerial ability, he can kick a ball, he’s strong, he’s fast. He’s a very good rugby league player.”
Lomax’s move to the Western Force presents an intriguing narrative for Australian rugby, as fans eagerly anticipate his impact on the Super Rugby Pacific competition and his potential journey towards representing the Wallabies on the world stage. His determination to embrace a new code and the challenges it presents underscores his ambition and commitment to elite sport.
