🏉 The sudden NRL release of Parramatta Eels winger Zac Lomax has ignited a fierce scramble for his signature across multiple sporting codes. Following the two-year postponement of the highly anticipated, but now delayed, R360 rugby union competition, the NSW Blues and Kangaroos representative is urgently charting the next chapter of his elite athletic career.
Lomax’s future remains one of the most compelling storylines in Australian sport. The electric flyer, known for his athleticism and goal-kicking prowess, is currently weighing options that stretch far beyond the traditional confines of rugby league. He has been speculatively linked to professional boxing, MMA (mixed martial arts), and various international rugby union competitions in Europe and Japan. However, two major Super Rugby Pacific sides have now officially emerged as frontrunners for the in-demand talent.
Western Force Makes a Strong Play in Perth
The strongest indicator yet of Lomax’s next move came earlier this week when it was confirmed he travelled to Western Australia. The destination: the facilities of the Western Force. This visit confirms the Perth-based club’s serious intent to acquire the cross-code prospect.
A Force spokesman confirmed the significant meeting to The Age, stating, “Zac is in Perth to visit the club and meet key people. He’s a standout athlete with significant potential.”
A shift to the Western Force would be a strategic play for Lomax. While he is expected to earn a notably lower salary than his previous NRL contract, the move offers a clear pathway to international rugby. If he successfully transitions to the 15-man game, a place in the Force’s 2026 Super Rugby Pacific squad could put him firmly in contention for the Wallabies squad ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Brumbies Emerge as Second Suitor for Wallabies Contention
The Force, however, does not have a clear run at the high-profile signature. A rival Super Rugby powerhouse has also signalled its initial interest. The Canberra Times reports that the ACT Brumbies are actively monitoring Lomax’s situation. The Brumbies have a strong history of successfully integrating cross-code athletes and have recently bolstered their backline with the re-signing of Len Ikitau and NRL-linked Tane Edmed.
The potential for Lomax to reach the pinnacle of the 15-man game is not lost on seasoned observers. Former cross-code international and dual-code star Lote Tuqiri was effusive about Lomax’s prospects in rugby union.
“The Wallabies would look at him, for sure… There are spots available,” Tuqiri told Code Sports. “Lomax would be successful in rugby union. He is great under the high ball, he’s one of the best exponents in rugby league, he is a goal kicker, a big body, he’s aggressive and has a kicking game.” These attributes—crucial to the modern rugby union game—make him a highly attractive commodity to Super Rugby coaches.
International and Alternative Options Remain
Before the R360 competition delay, Lomax was considered a key target, alongside Payne Haas and Ryan Papenhuyzen. While a future in the NRL appears unlikely for now, international rugby union remains a strong option, with clubs in France and Japan also vying for his services.
Lomax’s agent, Clinton Schifcoske, confirmed the breadth of interest, suggesting the athlete is in a commanding position. “Zac has options. Zac has always been interested in other things so he can pick and choose now,” Schifcoske said.
The coming weeks will be critical as Zac Lomax decides whether to embrace the professional opportunities in Perth or Canberra, or to take his elite athleticism to the global stage, making this one of the most compelling rugby news stories of the year.