‘Confident’ Storm not stressed about Lomax uncertainty
Oliver Caffrey |
Melbourne superstar Cameron Munster believes Zac Lomax would simply be a bonus signing if the Storm are able to secure the State of Origin ace, who remains in legal limbo.
In a dramatic escalation, Parramatta have taken Lomax to court to stop their gun winger playing for the Storm.
The 26-year-old was granted a release from his four-year deal at the end of last season to pursue a contract with new rugby union competition R360, only for that league to collapse.
Proceedings began in the NSW Supreme Court on Tuesday.
Speaking at the Storm’s team photo day on Wednesday, Munster joked he was disappointed no one had asked him about his pub in Brisbane, The Milton.
“Pub’s going well, thanks for asking,” Munster quipped.
“I leave that (Lomax discussions) up to the coaching staff and the owners.
“That’s above my pay grade.
“He’s a great asset to the club if we get him.
“But there’s been a whole bit of publicity around it, and we’re very confident, very comfortable with our squad at the moment.
“He’d (Lomax) probably add a nice element to it, but we’re not putting all our eggs in one basket, and worried about if we get him or not.
“Excited to get back out there and get rid of this pre-season. I’ve had enough.”
In another spicy element to the saga, Melbourne will open their season by hosting Parramatta at AAMI Park on March 5.
After back-to-back grand final defeats, the Storm have gone through serious change during the off-season.
Fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen has retired, while enforcer Nelson Asofa-Solomona quit to pursue a boxing career.
Fellow star Eli Katoa remains sidelined indefinitely after undergoing emergency surgery to treat a brain bleed suffered while playing for Tonga in the Pacific Championships.
But Katoa has made an inspirational return to be around the club, sitting in on the Storm’s team photo.
“He’s such a vibe, Eli,” Munster said.
“Realistically, he shouldn’t be around the club, but that’s just how determined and how positive he is.
“He’s come along in leaps and bounds compared to what probably the doctors and the medical side thought.
“He’s obviously got so many more hurdles that he needs to get past to be able to play, but just to see him around the group again, he such an integral part to our team.”
Munster praised Katoa for being “a leader”.
“He’s still in meetings, he’s still training for himself,” the Queensland captain said.
“Being around the group, it just shows how much he loves rugby league, and how much he loves this group.
“He’s even taken some of the younger boys under his wing.”
Meanwhile, Munster is hoping Storm legend Cameron Smith’s coaching role with Brisbane is only temporary.
The NRL games record-holder has taken on a part-time job with the Broncos, who took down Melbourne in last year’s epic grand final.
Munster would be thrilled if Smith was Craig Bellamy’s successor as coach of the Storm.
“It’s disappointing to see him in different colours, but he obviously wants to get a bit of development,” Munster said.
“He feels like there’s a different way of coaching, and you never know, he might end up having some development there and come back down (to coach the Storm).”
AAP
