What stood out to Western Force coach Simon Cron about Zac Lomax

Western Force coach Simon Cron has highlighted the professionalism and drive shown by Zac Lomax as two qualities that stood out during pre-season, when the former NRL star visited the club in Perth before later committing to a two-year deal.

Lomax played representative rugby league for the New South Wales Blues in State of Origin and internationals for Australia, but a new challenge awaits the outside back, who has signed on with the Force and Rugby Australia.

“It’s the mountain that I’m at the bottom of,” Lomax told reporters on Tuesday, eager to become the best rugby union player that he can. Lomax joins a talented Force squad that features the likes of 95-Test Wallaby Kurtley Beale, flanker Carlo Tizzano, and former All Black George Bridge.

The 26-year-old spent time with the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Parramatta Eels in the NRL before attempting to secure a move to the Melbourne Storm. Rugby Australia confirmed the signing of Lomax earlier this week, with the deal effective immediately.

While the Force are currently in New Zealand, preparing for their third and final match across the ditch before returning to Australia’s shores, the arrival of Lomax was a hot topic of discussion during a press conference with Cron.

“What I was impressed with is he was a really driven professional, and what I mean by that is he was really crystal clear on he wanted to play rugby and how important it was for him and that him and Kayla were all in,” Cron said.

“We talked a lot about the game and he chatted about the game and he chatted about people he knows in the game. He talked about players that he knew well who had transitioned out of rugby league into rugby. He talked about the world stage as an opportunity for him in the future.

“I was just really impressed with his professionalism and how driven he was. You can see the passion hen he talks, so they were the big ones for me.”

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

3

Draws

1

Wins

1

Average Points scored

32

25

First try wins

40%

Home team wins

60%

Cron described wing as “a natural position” for Lomax, but suggested fullback could be another area of development for rugby’s newest recruit. Bayley Kuenzle and Darby Lancaster will start on the edges against the Hurricanes this week, while Max Burey lines up at fullback.

Australia A representative Mac Grealy is another option to suit up in the back three, having worn the No. 15 jersey in the first four matches of the season. Kurtley Beale has been named in the midfield this week, partnering former All Blacks winger George Bridge in the centres.

Coach revealed “a lot” of Force players are excited about the Lomax news, as the team continues to build depth. But rugby fans will have to wait a bit longer to see Lomax take the field in Super Rugby Pacific, with the Force on a bye next week before hosting the Chiefs in Perth.

But still, that Chiefs match “might be a push.”

“Physically we’ve just got to get him into camp,” Cron explained.

“He’s been training obviously himself and doing a lot of boxing and running but it’s going to be more a case of high-speed metres and getting him going fast and just seeing how his body is.

“He’ll get into Perth during the bye week and we’ll start working on him. I know the [strength and conditioning] coaches and the medical staff have been in touch and we’ll just go from there I think.”