Zac Lomax signs with Western Force amid NRL contract saga

“I’m incredibly excited and thankful to be joining the Western Force after reaching an agreement with Rugby Australia to make the switch to rugby union,” Lomax said in the statement.

“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.

“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 really 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.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity and can’t wait to get started in Perth and begin this next chapter of my career.”

Lomax’s contract runs until the end of 2027 and includes an RA top-up payment. Provided his Super Rugby form warrants selection, he could be eligible for the Wallabies as early as July 4 when Australia host Ireland in Sydney. His first appearance for the Force is expected to be against the Chiefs in Perth on March 28, given the team has a bye in round six.

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo lamented the contract saga that engulfed Lomax, Parramatta and Melbourne throughout the summer and said the 13-man code would welcome an eventual return by the 26-year-old.

“The door is never going to be closed to Zac, and maybe we might see him playing rugby league again,” Abdo said on Fox Sports’ NRL 360.

“Looking back, this was a drawn out affair which the fans didn’t like so we need to look at that and think about what we can learn from this, what we can do better. But ultimately, hopefully we see Zac playing rugby league at some point in the future.”

The 26-year-old will address the media at Moore Park on Tuesday, near the statue of Wallabies great Ken Catchpole outside Allianz Stadium, and will be asked about the turbulent end to his time at Parramatta after seeking a release to join the breakaway R360 rugby competition.

The signing is also something of a full-circle moment for Waugh, who helped orchestrate the deal. Waugh was part of the Wallabies side that reached the 2003 World Cup final alongside high-profile league converts Lote Tuqiri, Wendell Sailor and Mat Rogers.

In a statement, Waugh said: “Zac is a superb athlete with a proven track record at representative level in rugby league and we believe he has the talent and drive to make a successful transition to rugby.

“Zac brings a unique set of experiences and skills to our environment and is motivated by the challenge of competing on the global stage.

“We have entered an incredibly exciting period for Australian rugby.”

In an ideal world, the Force would have had Lomax for their pre-season, but the club is thrilled to secure him midyear. Cron is preparing to deploy Lomax on the wing or at fullback given his aerial ability, although he did not rule out a move to outside centre once Lomax becomes more comfortable with rugby’s defensive structures.

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“He’s very keen and has called me a lot in the last 24 hours,” Cron said. “He’s a really smart operator and he’s a well-educated player. With his high ball and kicking game, wing and fullback makes sense.

“I think the boys will be really supportive. They’re a good tight group. They’ll like his personality type because he is driven and he’s a good man.

“He’s a big body, he’s fast, he’s strong and he loves the aerial battles. He’s got the raw talent and now our job is to help him with the game.”

RA and Waratahs-bound Crichton welcomed the news he would be joined in rugby by another former NRL star.

“It will be good for him,” Crichton said on Monday. “He made his bed and had to lay in it [with R360’s start date pushed back to 2028], but as a friend, and [someone] who has played a fair few games with Zac, I’m happy he’s got a good result.

“He creates stuff around him [on the field]. The more depth union has, the better they’ll be.

“I never spoke to him about [rugby] in Origin camps. But I’ve checked in on him and messaged him the other day when all the [contract] stuff went down.

“It’s funny, I’ve been in those situations where everyone is talking about you, but not many people are talking to you. He’s in a good space. I’m really happy for him.”