Lomax's Union position revealed as exiled winger confirms code switch

After not being able to enter the NRL until 2028 without the Parramatta Eels' permission, Zac Lomax has officially made the switch to Rugby Union.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald's Tom Decent, the NSW Origin representative has signed a two-year deal with Super Rugby side the Western Force, which now opens up the possibility of playing in a home World Cup with the Wallabies in 2027.

Lomax was initially granted a release from the Eels towards the end of last year to join upstart Rugby Union competition R360, and after the tournament was delayed and a very public attempt to return to the NRL with the Storm, the 26-year-old has finally sorted his next career move.

Speaking about the move, Lomax confirmed he was excited at the prospect of representing Australia in the World Cup.

“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 told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“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 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.”

Lomax will be aiming to join fellow NRL converts Angus Crichton, Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i, and Mark Nawaqanitawase in Wallabies colours in 2027, however, with an abundance of outside backs, there’s no guarantee Lomax will make the World Cup squad.

Decent, who broke the news of Lomax’s move, revealed to SEN that the Western Force view Lomax as a winger or fullback option for the club.

“I just spoke to Simon Cron, the head coach of the Force and he said wing and fullback is where they would look at him, given that his aerial work is a highlight,” he told SEN 1170 Afternoons.

“They think that, given that he's going to come in midway through a season, number 13, which is traditionally a bit of a tricky, defensive position, might be a little bit difficult at the moment.

“So, you'd think wing or fullback or potentially in the centres for the Wallabies a bit later in the year if they do see (a) fit there.

“The Force haven’t been going great… (so) trying to force his way into a Wallabies squad might not be the easiest thing.

“There's a world where one of (Jorgensen or Lomax) is going to have to play on the bench.

“If you look at Len Ikitau as a centre, who's probably been the Wallabies' best back over the last couple of years, then maybe one of them gets squeezed out.

“Maybe Lomax is your bench player, which sounds crazy, considering you've got the likes of Nawaqanitawase, Sua’ali’i, obviously Jorgensen at the back there, Angus Crichton, who’s probably going to play 12 there.

“They’re littered with backs at the moment. Some forwards would be good if league were happy to bring over some forwards for the Wallabies, but they're not sort of (needing) outside backs at the moment.

“How that all lines up will be so fascinating.”

Decent also confirmed Lomax won’t line up for the Western Force for their Round 5 clash against the Hurricanes, meaning his first game for the Western Force will likely be against the Waratahs on May 1 in Sydney.