Lomax still on Kiss' Wallabies radar despite NRL switch

Nicholas Quinlan • July 28th, 2026 8:52 pm

New Wallabies coach Les Kiss has spoken on the possibility of Rugby League convert Zac Lomax representing the national side following his decision to return to the NRL.

Lomax was released from his contract with Parramatta Eels last season to join the rebel Rugby Union competition R360, which was meant to begin this year.

But with the competition’s start date being delayed to 2028, this left the NSW and Australian representative in a state of limbo after a failed attempt to join the Melbourne Storm.

As a result, the outside back travelled west to play for the Western Force, where he featured in the second half of the Super Rugby season with a push to represent the Wallabies ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

After that, Lomax’s clause with the Eels preventing him from playing in the NRL expires on November 1, 2027, with the 26-year-old already agreeing to join the PNG Chiefs for 2028.

Despite having already planned his exit from Union, the newly installed Wallabies coach will be keeping an eye on how he recovers from his osteitis pubis injury.

“Well, he's got an injury and (we’re) working with him on getting that right,” Kiss explained on SEN’s Kick Off.

“He's working diligently on that. Obviously, anyone in the system who's playing is always an option, and we'll keep an eye on him.

“He's such a driven lad, he wants to be the best at whatever he does. So, he's contracted with us and in the system, he will be on the radar.”

Should Lomax crack the Wallabies squad, he’ll have to overcome some tough competition to make the side.

With the wing positions occupied by current John Eales Medallist Len Ikitau and 21-year-old superstar Max Jorgensen alongside the return of Mark Nawaqanitawase following the conclusion of the NRL season, his chances of cracking the starting XV are slim.

But with plenty of competition for spots, it could be the drive that propels the former Dragon and Eel into the gold jersey.

“There is a lot of competition in the position he's in,” he added.

“That's just the reality of it, but we want competition.

“The more competition you've had around, (it) made you play better.

“It just matters. So, I'm just trying to make sure someone like him (is) sitting on the edges and it drives our other back three players to play better.

“And we get the benefit anyway if he doesn't make it.”

Les Kiss’ first Test in charge of the Wallabies takes place on August 8.

They face Eddie Jones’ Japan at the Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Higashiosaka with the match beginning from 8:05pm AEST.

The two nations will face each other again the week after in Townsville to conclude the series.