Kangaroos debutant Zac Lomax has opened up about his move to Parramatta, why Clint Gutherson would be a good pick-up for his former club St George Illawarra, and his hopes to move back into the centres after several conversations with incoming coach Jason Ryles.
Lomax’s Australian Test debut against Tonga on Friday night follows his
breakthrough State of Origin series for NSW.
And while the 25-year-old has dreamed about wearing the green and gold, he also can not wait to pull on the Eels’ blue and gold in 2025.
Since Lomax inked a
four-year $2.6m deal to join the western Sydney club in April, Brad Arthur was sacked as coach, front-rower Reagan Campbell-Gillard signed with the Gold Coast Titans, and Gutherson has been told he is free to look elsewhere immediately.
St George Illawarra are reportedly in the mix for Gutherson, and Lomax said his old club would be a great fit, and that the Eels skipper could forge a handy on-field combination with
Ben Hunt if he stayed put.
“I’d love ‘Gutho’ to be at Parra, but I also understand Gutho has to do what’s best for him – he’s been such a great player, and he still is a great player,” Lomax told this masthead.
“There’s talk he might be going to the Dragons. That could be a really good buy for them. Wherever he goes he will be a good player.
“For me, I want to put my best performance in for my country, then I can’t wait to get to the Eels. I’m really looking forward to it.
“‘Rylesy’ has kept in touch a fair bit. He’s down in Wollongong as well. We’ve caught up four or five times – I keep in touch with him regularly.
“[Because Parramatta finished 15th] the good thing is nobody will give us a chance next year. That gives us a bit of motivation already.
“I believe in that roster wholeheartedly, and there are positive signs moving forward.”
Lomax trained at fullback for the bulk of last pre-season before playing on the wing at the Dragons. He wanted to play at centre, but that move was blocked by coach Shane Flanagan – so Parramatta swooped.
Lomax is a fullback option for the Eels, but he made it clear where he sees himself for the next part of his career.
“I’ll be at centre next year, for sure,” he said.
“I wanted to go and test myself. It was time for a change. And that change is at Parramatta.
“I pride myself on competing on everything. I did all my pre-season at fullback, then I got chucked on to the wing.
“I was confident coming into this season, and I came in with the mentality of wherever I played, I wanted to nail that position and be the best possible [player] in that position.
“I pride myself on being a footy player. I love playing wing. I’ve loved every minute of this season. But I want to play centre.”
Lomax got to know Eels halfback – and expected future captain – Mitchell Moses in NSW Origin camp, and was glad the pair were able to make their debuts for Australia together. Both players are outstanding goal-kicking options for the Kangaroos and Eels.
Moses has not played since rupturing his biceps in
Origin III, but was more than ready to strike first-up against a physical Tongan side at Suncorp Stadium.
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga said Lomax had been rewarded for a brilliant year, and there was no reason he could not make a successful switch to centre next season.
“Zac backs himself, which is what you want in any player – someone who has confidence in their own ability is really important,” Meninga said.
“You need to have goals, and if that’s his next challenge, and he grabs it ... I’ve got no doubts he’s talented enough to play anywhere in the backline.”
Zac Lomax opens up about his Australian Test debut, his Parramatta move, Clint Gutherson’s future, and where he will play in the Eels backline.
www.smh.com.au
