Lomax lands Wallabies audition for World Cup spot
Joanna Guelas |
Zac Lomax has made his tentative first steps towards securing a World Cup spot with the Wallabies after earning a call-up into the Australia A team.
After a strong start to life as a rugby union player with the Western Force, former NRL star Lomax will debut on the international stage when Australia A take on the USA in New Jersey on Saturday morning (AEDT).
He will partner with Kadin Prichard at outside centre in his latest audition to join Les Kiss’s Wallabies team for next year’s 2027 home World Cup.
The 27-year-old is out to become the seventh dual international winger alongside the likes of Joseph-Aukuso Sualii and Israel Folau, before he returns to the NRL in 2028 with the PNG Chiefs.
Kiss had already signalled his readiness to keep an open mind, despite the former St George Illawarra, Parramatta and NSW Origin talent’s return to rugby league.
Lomax’s imminent Australia A debut comes a day after his veteran Force teammate Kurtley Beale received a surprise recall for the Wallabies’ spring tour of the UK.
Beale, 37, has not played for the Wallabies since 2021, but answered an SOS call from Kiss after midfielder Hunter Paisami withdrew for personal reasons.
James Ramm and Kalani Thomas were also named to join the touring group for next month’s three Tests against England, Scotland and Wales, before the inaugural Nations Championship finals in the UK from November 21-23.
Ramm – who will join Beale and Lomax at the Force next year – returns to the Wallabies after an impressive four-season English Premiership stint at Northampton.
The 27-year-old received his maiden Wallabies call-up in 2020 from Dave Rennie, but couldn’t break into the side before moving to England in 2022.
Ramm had a “little stopover” in the New Zealand NPC competition playing for Northland, before signing with the Force on a two-year deal starting next season.
“The pull of a home World Cup is every player’s dream. That definitely played a big part,” Ramm said on Thursday.
“And I loved my time in the UK, but I was ready to come back and give this a real crack.
“He (Kiss) has been very excited the past couple of days … so I think he wants everyone to be themselves.
“We’ve talked a lot about the different styles of rugby I’ve been playing in and picking each other’s brains about what we think is different.”
His knowledge of former Northampton teammates such as England young gun Henry Pollock will no doubt prove valuable for the Wallabies, who have slipped to No.7 in the world rankings after losing the Bledisloe Cup for a 23rd straight year this month.
Ramm edged out regular starter Corey Toole, who will play alongside Lomax after falling out of favour under Kiss.
Thomas was also named in the Australia A team alongside Tom Lambert, with the pair to join the Wallabies in the UK following Saturday’s match.
AUSTRALIA A SQUAD: Tom Lambert, Matt Faessler (c), Zane Nonggorr, Nick Frost, Toby Macpherson, Will Harris, Luke Reimer, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Lachie Anderson, Kadin Pritchard, Zac Lomax, Corey Toole, Mac Grealy. Substitutes: Lachlan Lonergan, Lington Ieli, Edwin Langi, Eamon Doyle, Rory Scott, Nathan Hastie, Tane Edmed, Tim Ryan.
AAP