The rugby world is buzzing with speculation after Zac Lomax was spotted leaving Rugby Australia headquarters, reigniting rumors of a potential code switch. This comes just days after his hopes of joining the Melbourne Storm were dashed, leaving the NRL star in a tricky situation. But here's where it gets controversial: could Lomax be seriously considering a move to rugby union, a sport he flirted with before? And this is the part most people miss: this wouldn't be his first attempt at a cross-code switch, having previously explored joining the now-delayed R360 league.
Photos published by News Corp on Wednesday fueled the fire, showing Lomax at Rugby Australia's Moore Park offices, a mere 24 hours after his NRL return was blocked. The winger had been banking on the Storm negotiating a release from Parramatta Eels, who hold his NRL rights. However, the Storm were forced to pay a hefty $250,000 in legal fees, and Lomax's NRL ban was only reduced by a year, until the end of 2027.
The Eels have stated they're open to a player swap, but only if it benefits their team. Eels chairman Matthew Beach emphasized, 'We believe Zac is a talented young player, and we're willing to work with him and his agent to find a solution for his NRL return.' But there's a catch: Lomax would need to be happy with the destination club, and a potential move to the Warriors, for instance, might not be his preferred choice.
Is rugby union Lomax's plan B? It seems possible, as he previously engaged in talks with Super Rugby Pacific teams Western Force and ACT Brumbies after R360's postponement. However, without additional financial support from Rugby Australia (RA), his interest waned, and he focused on the Storm move. Now, with that option off the table, his appearance at RA suggests a renewed interest in rugby union. Has RA sweetened the deal, or is Lomax willing to accept a reported $300K-$400K contract, a significant pay cut from his Eels salary?
Super Rugby clubs operate under a strict $5.5 million salary cap, with RA providing top-ups for players of Wallabies caliber. This was the case for Angus Crichton, who recently joined the Waratahs. However, such moves have sparked debate, with some arguing it creates an uneven playing field in cross-code recruitment.
RA boss Phil Waugh recently commented on Lomax's situation, stating, 'We don't know his intentions, but our door is always open to world-class athletes.' Yet, Waugh also noted that RA's priority is to bring back players with rugby experience, which might not favor Lomax. Western Force is rumored to be the front-runner for his signature, while Waratahs coach Dan McKellar downplayed any interest, joking that adding Lomax to their backline would be too costly.
As the rugby community eagerly awaits Lomax's next move, one thing is clear: this saga is far from over. What do you think? Is a code switch the right move for Lomax, or should he hold out for an NRL return? Let us know in the comments, and don't forget to share your thoughts on the fairness of cross-code recruitment in rugby.
