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'Good luck to him': Reds roll out Lomax welcome mat
Murray Wenzel, AAP • March 31st, 2026 7:48 pm
Zac Lomax is poised to make his rugby debut for the Western Force against Queensland | Photo: David Woodley/AAP
Zac Lomax has been reminded that he knows exactly what to expect if the code-hopper makes his Super Rugby Pacific debut in Brisbane.
The former representative NRL winger looms as a likely starter for the Western Force against Queensland at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.
The 26-year-old lit up the NRL stage during stints with St George Illawarra and Parramatta, but his bid to join the Melbourne Storm this season - after the breakaway R360 league was postponed until 2028 - ended in an out-of-court settlement ahead of a potential NSW Supreme Court hearing.
Coach Simon Cron had indicated his first minutes would likely come against the Reds (4-2) on Saturday or the following week in Fiji against the Drua.
Lomax's Origin history with NSW should have him primed for a hostile Suncorp Stadium with the Force | Photo: Mark Evans/AAP
Reds and Wallabies hooker Matt Faessler, himself hoping to return from a knee injury for the clash, said Lomax should know what to expect.
"There's been talk about that and he's obviously a great talent in rugby league. It will be interesting to see how he goes if he plays," he said of the NSW State of Origin regular.
"As a Queenslander it hurts, but he was part of that (Blues) team that won the decider a couple of years ago in Brisbane, so I'm sure he's no stranger to a hostile Suncorp crowd and good luck to him if he plays."
Lomax has been training with the Force for the past two weeks after signing with the Perth-based club and Australian Rugby on a two-year deal ahead of the 2026 home World Cup.
He joined teammates for the warm-up before sitting in the coach's box for Saturday night's 24-14 loss to the Chiefs in Perth.
Lomax has been brushing up on rugby technique, having not played the game since his schooldays | Photo: David Woodley/AAP
The 26-year-old hasn't played rugby union since his primary school days but shapes as a timely injection for the 1-5 side that has endured four losses of 10 points or less.
"He's spent a lot of time with (Test flanker) Carlo Tizzano working on the breakdown, which certainly is not fun," fullback Max Burey said ahead of Wednesday's team selection.
"He's ripped into that and is just being himself."
Burey played with and against Lomax in NSW country rugby league when they were kids.
"He'll add a lot," he said.
"Throw a guy in with international experience … albeit in another code, but a big game player and (Test winger Dylan) Pietsch coming back as well.
"There's two outside backs adding a lot of competition and today was one of the best training sessions we've had."
