3 months ago
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The demise of R360 hasn’t dampened the enthusiasm of Zac Lomax to make a switch to rugby, with the former NSW Origin winger flying to Perth to meet with Western Force officials on Tuesday.
Lomax travelled to Western Australia with his partner to meet with the Andrew Forrest-owned Force and tour the facilities on a two-day visit, signalling a potential move to Super Rugby Pacific for Lomax in 2026 and a shot at playing for the Wallabies at the Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2027.
The 26-year-old was left in limbo after R360 officials last week announced they would not be launching their competition until 2028, delaying the initial start date of October next year.
Lomax had been targeted by R360 on a big-money deal, and was granted a release from his $700,000-a-year contract at Parramatta last month, one season into a four-year contract, “to pursue opportunities outside the NRL”.
NRL boss Peter V’landys subsequently said Lomax would be welcome back in the game, and would not be banned for 10 years from the competition given he had not signed with R360.
Zac Lomax toured the Western Force facilities.Credit: Getty Images
But a return to the NRL is not straightforward given Parramatta’s release also carried the condition he could not sign with another NRL club until 2029, unless it was approved by the Eels.
Lomax has continued to look for opportunities in rugby union worldwide, according to informed sources. Lomax’s representatives have explored opportunities at French and Japanese clubs, and playing in the US Major League rugby competition was also considered.
His camp has also had conversations with Rugby Australia, scoping out the potential of playing rugby domestically, according to sources not authorised to speak publicly.
Lomax would be looking at a significant pay cut to join a Super Rugby franchise, however, with even a top-range player earning about $200,000. Rugby Australia then tops up the salaries of Wallabies and players of national interest.
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It’s unclear if Rugby Australia have the appetite to make a play for Lomax with a substantial top-up.
The Kangaroos winger is an elite footballer but has no recent history of rugby, and RA boss Phil Waugh has repeatedly stressed he is a fiscal conservative and doesn’t intend to splash cash, particularly on code-switchers. He did pay $100,000 to the Gold Coast Titans for the early release of Carter Gordon, however.
The Force could potentially have the capacity to put a decent offer to Lomax on their own, however, given the club is owned by Tattarang, a company of billionaire Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest.
The miner stepped in to save the Force when they were kicked out of Super Rugby in 2017, keeping the club alive and funding the Global Rapid Rugby competition. The Force re-joined Super Rugby during COVID.
The Force have openings in the backline, with Wallabies winger Harry Potter having returned to NSW for 2026.
A move to Perth could also open up the possibility of Lomax joining the Perth Bears when they enter the NRL in 2027.
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