Lomax, Coates ruled out of Kangaroos’ Ashes tour
Scott Bailey |
Australia have suffered a double blow ahead of the Kangaroo tour with wingers Zac Lomax and Xavier Coates ruled out through injury.
Officials on Tuesday night called Parramatta winger Josh Addo-Carr and Newcastle centre Bradman Best into the squad as replacements.
Addo-Carr’s recall marks the Eels flyer’s first time back in an Australian camp since scoring 12 tries in the World Cup in 2022.
Best, meanwhile, had seriously been considered for the initial squad before being pipped by Brisbane’s Gehamat Shibasaki.
The Knights star was instead named in the Prime Minster’s XIII squad to take on Papua New Guinea, in a clear sign the selectors viewed him as a future Kangaroo – later confirmed by his Tuesday call-up.
Australia’s loss of Parramatta’s Lomax to a hip strain and Melbourne’s Coates with an achilles tendon issue is a brutal setback for coach Kevin Walters, given they had strong chances to be the two starting wingers.
Coates was spotted leaving Accor Stadium with a moon boot on his left foot on Sunday night, after the Storm’s grand-final loss to Brisbane, and has a minor achilles tear. He is expected to be fit in time for Melbourne’s pre-season.
Lomax, meanwhile, finished the season for Parramatta but has since succumbed to a hip injury.
Australia’s squad already features Mark Nawaqanitawase, who came to life on the Sydney Roosters’ wing in the second half of the season.
Brisbane pair Shibasaki and Kotoni Staggs are the two other centres named.
Another wing option could be Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards, who played on a wing for Australia in 2023.
Lomax’s selection in the squad had come with the Eels winger linked to a move to breakaway rugby competition R360.
He is under contract to the Eels until the end of 2028, and his management have insisted he will not walk out on that deal.
Parramatta coach Jason Ryles has suggested, however, he would have a serious think about releasing Lomax if requested.
Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters had said at Monday’s squad announcement that he had spoken to Lomax and was confident he was in the right frame of mind to play for Australia.
“Having spoken to Zac himself, he certainly has a good mindset around the tour,” Walters said on Monday, prior to the injury news.
“I have had several conversations with him, he is right to go.”
AAP
