Zac Lomax to make 2026 rugby debut on familiar grounds

Former Parramatta player Zac Lomax will make his Super Rugby Union debut for the Western Force against Queensland in Brisbane tomorrow (Saturday).

The 26-year-old will start on the bench after he joined the Force last month from the National Rugby League.

The outside back made his debut for the Kangaroos at Suncorp Stadium in 2024 against Tonga after he helped NSW to an Origin victory at the same ground that same season.

“He’s a natural athlete. He’s big, strong, fast and powerful so we’ve done a bit of work with him and he’s very confident,” Force coach Simon Cron told www.rugby.com.au.

“We’re in a position now where I think it’s a great opportunity for him to play coming off the bench so it gives him a chance to work his way into the game.”

Lomax has been training with the Force for two weeks after signing a two-year deal with the Perth club and Australian Rugby.

BUREY PRAISES LOMAX

“He’s spent a lot of time with (Test flanker) Carlo Tizzano working on the breakdown, which certainly is not fun,” Force fullback Max Burey says.

“He’s ripped into that and is just being himself.”

Burey played with and against Lomax in NSW Country Rugby League when they were kids.

“He’ll add a lot,” Burey says.

“Throw a guy in with international experience … albeit in another code but a
big game player and (Test winger Dylan) Pietsch coming back as well.”

Former Wallaby Dylan Pietsch will play his first game this year for the Force after overcoming a plantar fasciitis issue in his foot.

Former Munster flanker Jack Daly will also debut for the club and replaces the injured Carlo Tizzano.

“We’re thinking it’ll be a couple of weeks … Carlo was playing some great rugby so it’s unfortunate but we have to have a squad that can handle losing some of our top guys,” Cron says of the injury.

Tizzano is joined on the sidelines by Jeremy Williams (HIA) with Nick Champion de Crespigny to lead the team.

For the Reds, they welcome back Test hooker Matt Faessler, who missed four games with a knee injury.

“It’s good news to have a player like ‘Faess’ returning with his experience,” Reds coach Les Kiss says.

“I know ’Faess is champing at the bit to contribute.”

Flyhalf Carter Gordon will also return to partner with Kalani Thomas, teenager Treyvon Pritchard earns his first start and Wallaby Zane Nonggorr joins the bench while flyhalf Tom Lynagh is out due to illness.

“Treyvon has certainly shown what he is capable of in his minutes off the bench this season. It’s only scratching the surface of his potential and he gets to take another step in his learning with experienced Wallabies around him.”