Lomax makes his intentions clear for State of Origin
Jasper Bruce |
Zac Lomax admits he would be “devastated” to miss selection in the State of Origin series opener, declaring himself ready for NSW after his first game back from a foot injury.
Lomax’s proclamation came as NSW officials breathed a sigh of relief on Saturday morning, with star centre Stephen Crichton able to accept a $3000 fine for dangerous contact on Lindsay Collins.
Crichton was hit with a grade-one dangerous contact charge for putting his shoulder into the head of Collins as he lay on the ground in Canterbury’s win over the Sydney Roosters.
Had the Bulldogs centre copped a grade-two charge, he would have been looking at a three-match ban which would have ruled him out of the first two Origins.
Crichton is a near-certainty to be picked by the Blues at the end of this round for the May 28 series opener, but Lomax remains in a more uncertain spot.
Parramatta’s right winger scored two tries and ran for more metres than any other player in Friday night’s 28-6 drubbing of Newcastle – his first game in six weeks.
The performance would no doubt have been watched with keen interest by returning Blues coach Laurie Daley, who has a wealth of back-line options at his disposal.
Jacob Kiraz, Brian To’o, and Lomax are all candidates for the two wing spots, while one of Crichton or Tom Trbojevic could also figure there is squeezed out of the centres.
Playing a starring role in last year’s come-from-behind series win has motivated Lomax to earn selection again.
“Of course I want to be back there. It’s not just me, every single person that gets a phone call will be devastated if they’re not in the team,” Lomax said.
“They’ll be lying if (they say) they’re not. Everyone wants to be in that team.
“Origin is a goal that you set at the start of every year. It’s the pinnacle of footy, you want to achieve that goal. For me, I got a taste of it last year and I loved it. Everyone that’s played there just wants to go back and do it again and again.”
Injuries meant that it wasn’t until Friday night that Eels recruit Lomax had the chance to showcase his combination with Parramatta halfback and possible Blues teammate Mitch Moses.
Lomax admitted a part of him feared his unfortunately-timed foot issue and the last-placed Eels’ form could have hurt his selection chances.
“A little bit,” he said.
“But what will be will be. It all happens the way it’s supposed to happen. If it’s not meant to be, it’s not meant to be, but I feel like I’ve tried to put my best foot forward week in, week out.
“I’m a New South Welshman, I bleed blue. For me, as long as that shield stays here, that’s my focus. Fingers crossed I get a nice happy call in the next couple of days.”
Amid the uncertainty as to Daley’s selections, Lomax said one thing was clear: He will be physically ready for Origin, even if his foot injury has curtailed his game time so far this year.
“Origin is between the ears for me and what I’ve experienced, it’s obviously a different game of footy,” Lomax said.
“For me, you’ve just got to do your job. You’ve got the best players around you. That’ll take care of itself.
“It was not ideal to have (only) one game going into it but that’s footy.”
AAP
