Lomax "all but done" as PNG Chiefs latest signing as Munster joins hit list

Zac Lomax is very likely to be Papua New Guinea’s latest marquee signing, according to Michael Carayannis.

The exiled former representative winger is currently playing in the Super Rugby for the Western Force having been barred from an NRL return by the Parramatta Eels.

Lomax is currently pursuing a Wallabies World Cup berth in 2027, knocking back the chance to join the Melbourne Storm next season, insisting he would see out his two-year deal with the Western Force.

Under Lomax’s current agreement with the Eels, he cannot return to the NRL, unless otherwise approved by the club, until October 31, 2027. Should the Eels and Storm have struck a deal, it could have seen the winger return next season.

This places the PNG Chiefs in the box seat to sign the former Kangaroo, as their inaugural pre-season would begin on November 1, 2027.

After meeting with PNG Chiefs officials, Lomax is now expected to join their ranks of marquee stars, with Jarome Luai, Connor Watson and Alex Johnston already confirmed signings for the club.

The news comes as the Chiefs remain in the box seat to sign former Rooster Joey Manu, while Storm half Cameron Munster has been granted permission to negotiate exclusively with PNG.

“I think Lomax is all but done,” Carayannis told SEN 1170 Drive.

“I think Lomax just needs to get to PNG and once he has a look, I think Lomax will be a PNG Chief.

“(The) Joey Manu situation is ongoing. He obviously arrived back in the country yesterday, having spent a few days in PNG.

“There's an offer out to Joey Manu, which he's yet to accept.

“I think (PNG) are confident they'll get both of them, but I think Lomax is more likely than Joey Manu at this stage.

“That's not to say Joey Manu won't happen, but Lomax is (further) along on the track to being done than Joey Manu.”

Joey Manu hasn’t played in the NRL since 2024 after leaving the Roosters to play Japanese Rugby.

Despite being linked with a return to the Roosters, and the Cronulla Sharks, Manu’s journey to PNG suggests positive talks between the two parties.

Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster is similarly on the Chiefs radar after being granted exclusive permission to negotiate with the club by the Storm.

Munster would be 34 by the time he joins the Chiefs if he signs with the club.

“Munster's been given permission from the Melbourne Storm to talk with the PNG Chiefs and the PNG Chiefs only, and that's for the period whilst he's sidelined at the moment,” Carayannis said.

“He's obviously got that knee knee injury, and Munster told his teammates a couple of days ago that he had intentions to talk with PNG.

“There was some suggestion that he was gonna fly over whilst he's sidelined. I'm not exactly sure if that's gonna happen.

“He's still hopeful of remaining a one-club player, but Cameron Munster (is a) free agent come November 1, so what they've done is just fast-track that process a little bit just to get a gauge of his market value and what he'd be worth in 2028.”

The decision for the Chiefs to potentially partner Munster with Jarome Luai is an interesting one considering Nathan Cleary has been rumoured as a target for the new franchise, with Munster and Luai both primarily five-eighths.

However, Carayannis thinks the Chiefs could be sounding out Munster’s interest, in the event they don’t secure the signature of Nathan Cleary, or another elite halfback like the Roosters’ Sam Walker.

“One of them (Munster or Luai) would be wearing number seven,” Carayannis said, “but you’re right, they’re different”.

“They're very ad lib, sort of natural, old school number sixes.

“I guess the situation for the Chiefs is, they'd love Nathan Cleary. If they don't get Nathan Cleary, there's Sam Walker, Zane Harrison, but then it sort of drops off significantly around their potential halves partner for Jarome Luai.

“So they go, ‘do we strike and get Cam Munster locked and loaded just in case we don't end up with anything’.

“So I think that's probably a thought process for the Chiefs as well.”