The question Lomax could have answered better at his first rugby press conference

Everyone left safe in the knowledge that Lomax is excited by the prospect of a new challenge in rugby. Some may have found it amusing, however, that his “dream” to play for the Wallabies burns so bright given that just last week his lawyers were fighting to ensure he remained in a different code in a different state.

When that point was put to Waugh, Lomax shot the reporter an icy stare.

Lomax argued that he had, after all, wanted out of Parramatta to join R360 – the proposed breakaway competition now delayed until 2028 – albeit for a lot more money than what he will be paid at the Force.

Before the press conference, Lomax chatted with his agent Clinton Schifcofske, who played both codes, in a café next to Rugby Australia’s headquarters. Schifcofske has represented Lomax since he was 13.

Having not fronted the media since NSW’s State of Origin camp last July, Lomax appeared nervousin front of the cameras.

RA took care to keep him away from Wallabies branding. The message was clear: he will have to earn the right to wear a gold jersey.

Lomax said he had sought advice from Sonny Bill Williams in recent days – few know more about switching codes – while Wallabies prop Angus Bell, another Schifcofske client, has also been quietly persuading Lomax to make the jump before the 2027 World Cup in Australia.

The pair regularly watch each other’s games and the prospect of travelling the world together in rugby appealed to both.

Asked whether he had been watching much rugby lately, Lomax caught himself mid-answer: “I haven’t watched a whole heap as of late. Well, sorry, as of late, I’ve been watching a fair bit to try and get myself up to speed a little bit.”

Coincidentally, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii – Lomax’s teammate during the 2024 State of Origin series for a grand total of eight minutes – walked into the RA building moments before the recruit began fielding questions.

Suaalii is recovering from a torn hamstring, while Lomax’s training regime during his professional limbo has consisted of catching and passing drills with his partner and family members.

Their rugby salaries are miles apart, but get them on the same field and the marketing potential is obvious.

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“What rugby offers as a proposition is very different to the environment that he’s been in,” Waugh said, without directly referencing league. “The opportunity he’ll have on the global stage is exciting.”

Meanwhile, the All Blacks are already in Lomax’s sights – “I don’t think there’s any bigger task in professional sport” – while Wallabies Tests this year in Osaka, Mendoza, Auckland, London, Edinburgh and Cardiff are an appealing prospect for a footballer who did not have a playing contract this time last week.

“Everyone that I speak to … playing for the Wallabies and travelling all around the world, that’s the first thing that makes their eyes light up,” Lomax said.

“I’ve been able to make a decision now and move on from it.”