Former NSW Origin winger set to play first game for Force against Queensland Reds
Former NSW Origin winger Zac Lomax will make his Super Rugby debut for the Force for the Reds at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday evening.
Kurtley Beale has observed Lomax closely in training in Perth over the past three weeks and says the former NRL star reminds him of fellow scrambler Israel Folau due to his unique physical abilities.
“I had the luxury of playing with Israel Folau at the Waratahs and I think Zac brings the same poise and athleticism,” Beale said.
“The coaches do a great job of trying to simplify the game as much as possible so he can go out there and express himself, and that’s the ultimate goal, right? You want him to feel comfortable, you want him to be able to contribute to the game to the best of his ability.”
Beale will play his 180th Super Rugby match against the Reds. Lomax, meanwhile, is set to begin his professional rugby journey on the bench at Suncorp Stadium, where he plays for NSW in State of Origin in 2024 and 2025. Teams will be announced Wednesday afternoon.
Sub-back Beale has spent time reviewing game plans with Lomax and believes the former Parramatta winger’s big-game experience and mental strength will be an asset for the Force, who have won one match and lost five this season.
“Obviously he played rugby league at the highest level and was in some great teams. [NSW] Origin and Kangaroos,” Beale said.
“So there’s no doubt we’ll be able to try some of his knowledge on pressure moments that I feel we’re struggling with a little bit at the moment…
“He’s a good lad and physically built like a brick. He’s actually quite tall, so if you’re outside backs he’ll be a great asset to get a bit forward from the edges, that’s for sure.”
Beale said Lomax’s arrival had increased competition for places at the Force, with Wallabies winger Dylan Pietsch currently injured.
“I’m not taking anything away from a lot of the players here who have worked so hard in pre-season, but Zac brings a lot of healthy competition to the group and raises the bar in terms of standards and expectations,” Beale said.
“He’s a big challenge for the whole backline. I think his presence and ball carrying will be another asset, but also being able to use him as a decoy at times. He’s definitely a body that every defense needs to consider when defending against the Force, that’s for sure.”
Meanwhile, the Wallabies will play world No. 3 Ireland in Canberra next year in their final qualifier ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
The fixture was announced on Tuesday alongside news of the Wallaroos Test against Scotland at the GIO Stadium in October.
This will be the first Wallabies Test to be held in Canberra since 2017 and comes after the ACT missed out on the opportunity to host any World Cup matches. The ACT Government chose not to fully participate in the bidding process, disappointing rugby fans in Canberra, but a financial deal was later struck with Rugby Australia to host the Wallabies’ final match before the tournament.
“This is absolutely very strategic from our perspective, given that Canberra will not be hosting any Rugby World Cup matches,” RA CEO Phil Waugh said. “The importance of the rugby market in Australia; bringing the Wallabies to Canberra for the first time in over a decade is really important to us.”
Wallabies supporter Allan Alaalatoa, who played in the final Test against Argentina in Canberra in 2017, welcomed the return of international rugby to his city and said the tough start to the World Cup, which will see the Wallabies complete a full Rugby Championship by playing two matches in South Africa, would be good preparation for the World Cup, which starts a week later with Hong Kong China and the All Blacks.
“From a player’s perspective, it’s good that we’re playing quality matches before the World Cup, you know you’re playing at a great level, it’s Test match football and you feel that pressure before you get to the World Cup,” Alaalatoa said.
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Iain Payten is senior sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect with: X or email.
