Zac Lomax, a star player in the NRL, has sparked speculation about a potential code switch to Rugby Australia (RA). The story began when Lomax was spotted at RA's Moore Park headquarters, just a day after his hopes of rejoining the Melbourne Storm were dashed. The Storm had to pay a substantial $250,000 in legal fees and only reduced Lomax's NRL lockout by a year, ending in 2027. The Eels, his current club, remain open to a player swap deal, but only if it strengthens their football program. This has led to questions about Lomax's future, especially with the possibility of a switch to the 15-player game, similar to his initial involvement with the rebel league R360. After R360's plans fell through, Lomax explored a move to Super Rugby Pacific, but RA's lack of top-up offer cooled his interest. Now, with the Storm door closed, Lomax's presence at Moore Park suggests a potential new offer from RA or a willingness to accept a contract that could be significantly lower than his Eels deal. Super Rugby clubs are limited by their salary cap, and RA provides additional pay for players of Wallabies quality. This dynamic is evident in the case of Angus Crichton, who signed with RA after a successful Rugby World Cup performance. The RA boss, Phil Waugh, remains open to signing Lomax, emphasizing the door is always open for world-class athletes. However, the Western Force is considered the frontrunner to sign Lomax, while the NSW Waratahs coach, Dan McKellar, dismisses any interest in the player, highlighting the complexities of cross-code recruitment.
