Taking the field in the 48th minute against Italy, Lomax and fellow reserve prop Tamaiti Williams immediately asserted themselves on the match.
The All Blacks aren't looking to reinvent the wheel for the set-piece that got touched up in the 27-13 loss to France in the opening game of Rugby World Cup.
Optimism is beginning to re-emerge over the form of the New Zealand side, ruling out any speculation the team could enter the tournament as underdogs.
Debuts don't get much more challenging for a front rower than coming up against the South Africans, making Williams' performance all the more impressive.
The hallmark of the Foster era was threatening to be his ability to produce physically insipid teams - but there's reason for hope.
Robertson is the candidate who can energise and rally support behind the All Blacks, but expectations shouldn't be held demanding an immediate return to world dominance.
New assistant coach Joe Schmidt is already making his mark on the All Blacks according to some senior players.
We are back once again to judging a four-year tenure on a seven-week tournament.
All Blacks coach Ian Foster has received the support of New Zealand Rugby and will be retained after saving his job in South Africa.
Beleaguered All Blacks head coach Ian Foster has issued a message to disenchanted All Blacks fans in the wake of last week's series defeat to Ireland.