Zac Lomax Signs Two Year Deal with Super Rugby’s Western Force

2026-03-09 - 01:37

Zac Lomax’s immediate playing future has been decided, with the former NRL winger signing a two-year deal with Rugby Australia and the Western Force. Lomax will switch to rugby union effective immediately and could now play for the Wallabies at the 2027 Rugby World Cup. “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,” Lomax 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.” It comes after Lomax was spotted at Rugby Australia headquarters just 24 hours after Parramatta and Melbourne reached an out-of-court settlement, which meant he would be unable to join the Storm until 2028. The Eels left the door open to Lomax linking up with an NRL rival before then, but only if they received adequate compensation in return. It left Lomax in contract limbo again and prompted him to explore alternatives to an NRL return including rugby union, with Western Force head coach Simon Cron revealing he spoke with the former Eels winger and partner Kayla when they visited Perth late last year. “We spent some time together talking about the Force and how we want to play,” Cron 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.” While ARLC commissioner Peter V’landys had been passionate in pushing for Lomax to be allowed back into the NRL, South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett had far less sympathy when asked about the matter earlier in the week. “I’m not going to bend rules and make rules for individual players,” he said. “The game has withstood so much pressure over a long period of time. I’ve been here that long, I’ve seen the best players the game’s ever seen play. “They’ve all moved on and we’ve still got a great game. The minute we think we can’t be successful without a certain player, we’re in a lot of trouble.”