Source :- THE AGE NEWS
Code hopper Zac Lomax says he has no regrets about leaving Parramatta to pursue a future in rebel competition R360, and despite seeking an NRL return last week, doubled down on the “truly global” appeal of rugby being the driver for him to switch codes.
A day after signing a two-year deal with the Western Force and Rugby Australia, and for the first time since being released from the Eels in November, Lomax fronted media in Sydney to explain his headline-grabbing career moves.
Former NRL star Zac Lomax has joined the Western Force in his pursuit of playing for the Wallabies. Credit: Ben Symons / SMH
After his intended move to rebel rugby competition R360 fell over, Lomax unsuccessfully attempted to join the Melbourne Storm before continuing talks with the Force and RA again last week. He had spoken with the Force before Christmas.
Lomax is set to fly to Perth later this week to join his new club and could make a Super Rugby Pacific debut playing wing or fullback in three weeks, after the Force’s bye week.
The 26-year-old said he was thankful to rugby league for everything the game had given him and his family, and as a NSW and Kangaroos representative believed he was leaving the code “at the peak of my career”.
But Lomax also said he had no regrets about seeking a release to join R360 before the competition was even guaranteed to go ahead. When R360 announced later it would not start until 2028, Lomax was left in limbo and as part of his exit agreement, he couldn’t play at another NRL club without the Eels’ approval.
Parramatta took the Storm to court when they tried to get around the clause. Lomax’s $350,000 a year deal with RA is about half the value of his Eels contract.
Asked if he regretted seeking a release to play R360, Lomax said: “No, not at all.”
“It’s me that’s made the decisions and it’s me that has the consequences … it’s my decision and they’re the ones that I’ve made, but it’s one that I stick by.
“For me, it was initially to go and play rugby union. And I’ve been in constant communication with the (Force) team, and here we are.”
Zac Lomax with RA boss Phil Waugh at his press conference in Sydney.Credit: Ben Symons / SMH
Grilled about whether the Eels’ hardball stance and whether rugby was a “plan B” given he recently tried to join the Storm, Lomax sidestepped most questions and said he was only keen to look ahead.
“There’s obviously been a whole heap of scenarios that have come out,” Lomax said.
“It definitely hasn’t been ideal, but at the same time, to be able to make a decision and move on from it, it’s positive, that’s my focus.
“I’ve been able to make a decision now, and I want to just be able to move on from it. I can’t wait to get over to Perth and become the best rugby union player that I possibly can. I know I’ve got a lot to learn, and that’s something that truly excites me.”
Lomax said he was “so thankful and so fortunate enough to be able to have a successful career in the NRL”.
“I love everything that they’ve been able to give me and my family, and I’ve been able to play the game at the highest level, and that’s something that I’m super proud of. I’ve played with Parramatta and the Dragons, and was pursued with Storm to try and make something happen, but obviously results didn’t allow that,” he said.
“I’ve been so thankful and grateful for everything that rugby league has given me, but, you know, this is the future and I’m leaving at the peak of my career in rugby league terms. But it’s something that motivates me … I’m going to start to build the game (rugby union) from the ground up for me as a player, and that’s something that motivates me. I want to test myself.
“I don’t want to get to the end of my career and think about, you know, should I have given that a crack.”
Zac Lomax poses after signing with Western Force and the Australian Rugby at Rugby HQ.Credit: Ben Symons / SMH
Lomax said he’d played rugby at school until 2015, and then moved to league full-time with the Dragons. He said he’d been impressed with Force coach Simon Cron in their meetings, and has sought advice from Wallaby Angus Bell and fellow code-switcher Sonny Bill Williams.
Lomax said he has aspirations to play for the Wallabies and becoming a dual international but knows he has a lot of work ahead.
Asked about his quote in the RA press release that rugby is a “truly international sport”, which NRL figures took as a shot at the 13-man game, Lomax said it was not intended as a dig at league.
“Comments can be taken many different ways, but for me, it’s the reality is that rugby is a truly global sport,” he said.
“It’s played in more than 100 different countries, and I guess from my point of view, like, that’s something that absolutely attracts me as a player … the travel that they do (around) the world. Everyone that I speak to in regards to rugby and playing for the Wallabies and travelling all around the world, that’s the first thing that makes their eyes light up.”
Grilled about why Force fans should have confidence he’ll see out the two-year contract, given he has walked away from the Dragons and then the Eels after one season, Lomax said: “It’s obviously a decision that I’ve made and I stick by. In regards to everything … previously, there’s obviously been a narrative out there that’s sort of come about.
“But for me, I’m so stoked everyone at the Forces obviously showed the faith in me in Rugby Australia, and I can’t wait to get there.”
