Rugby World Cup 2027: The collapse of the planned R360 rugby league competition hasn’t reduced Zac Lomax’s desire to switch codes. The former NSW State of Origin winger flew to Perth on Tuesday, where he met Western Force officials to discuss what his future in rugby union could look like.
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Lomax made the trip to Western Australia with his partner, spending two days touring facilities. And speaking with senior people at the Force, a club owned by billionaire Andrew Forrest. The visit is a strong sign that Lomax is seriously considering a move to Super Rugby Pacific in 2026.
If that happens, it could also give him a long-shot chance at playing for the Wallabies at the Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2027. The 26-year-old has found himself in an uncertain position over the last week. R360 officials recently announced their new competition.
Originally due to begin in October 2025, it will not launch until 2028. That delay effectively put Lomax and several other targeted players in limbo. Lomax had been one of the most high-profile players approached by R360.
This was offering big salaries to attract established NRL talent. Parramatta released him last month from his $700,000-a-year contract, only one season into a four-year deal. Allowing him to pursue what the club described as opportunities outside the NRL.
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Rugby World Cup: Lomax Weighs Overseas Rugby Union Options
NRL boss Peter V’landys made it clear that Lomax could return to the league in the future. He said there would be no 10-year ban, which had been rumored, because Lomax never actually signed with R360. Even so, his return wouldn’t be simple.
Parramatta’s release came with a major condition: Lomax is not allowed to sign with any other NRL team until 2029 unless the Eels approve the move. Because of these restrictions, Lomax and his management team have been exploring rugby union opportunities across the world.
According to sources familiar with the discussions, his representatives have looked into possible contracts in France and Japan. Lomax has also considered playing in Major League Rugby in the United States. Back in Australia, Lomax’s camp has opened conversations with Rugby Australia to see what a domestic rugby career might involve.
Those talks have been described as early and exploratory, and no one has been authorized to speak publicly about them. If Lomax did sign with a Super Rugby side, the financial side would look very different from what he was earning in the NRL.
Even top-tier Super Rugby players usually earn around $200,000 a year. Rugby Australia can offer top-ups to the Wallabies or players considered important to the national program. But it isn’t clear whether they would be willing to spend heavily on a player without recent rugby union experience.
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Rugby World Cup Final: Lomax Keeps Options Open for Sporting Future
New Rugby Australia boss Phil Waugh has said multiple times that he intends to be very careful and conservative with spending. He has warned against large offers to players switching codes, although he did pay $100,000 to secure the early release of Carter Gordon from the Gold Coast Titans.
The Western Force, however, might be able to present a competitive offer without major Rugby Australia involvement. The club is owned by Tattarang, Andrew Twiggy Forrest’s private company. Forrest has spent millions keeping rugby alive in Western Australia.
Stepping in to save the Force after they were cut from Super Rugby in 2017. He funded the Global Rapid Rugby competition and helped ensure the Force rejoined Super Rugby during the COVID-19 period. The Force currently has room in their backline, especially after Wallabies winger Harry Potter decided to return to NSW in 2026.
A move west would also keep another door open for Lomax. If the Perth Bears join the NRL in 2027, as expected. Lomax could theoretically return to rugby league in Western Australia without needing Parramatta’s approval. For now, Lomax’s future remains wide open. What is clear is that he wants to keep playing professional sport, and he’s willing to change direction to make that happen.
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