Zac Lomax: Cross-code star set for rugby union debut for Western Force’s clash with Queensland

Barely three weeks after switching codes, Zac Lomax will make a sensational rugby union debut, with the Western Force declaring him “ready to go” in his new sport.

The former Parramatta and St. George Illawarra NRL star will take to Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium - a venue where he played State of Origin for Queensland less than a year ago - to face the Reds on Saturday.

Lomax will start from the bench for his first game in union, which comes off the back of a failed high-profile move to rebel union comp Rugby 360 and a subsequent forced absence from the NRL.

Force coach Simon Cron said he was confident the 26-year-old was ready to make an impact in his new code.

“He’s an athlete, a natural athlete, big, strong, fast and powerful. We’ve done a bit of work with him since he got here, and he’s very confident that he’s ready,” Cron said.

“We’re in a position now where I think it’s great opportunity for him to play. He’s coming off the bench, so it gives him a chance to work his way into the game. He’s a great player, and he’s ready to go.

“The finer arts will be a little while coming, but he’s good enough to handle it. The big change between rugby and rugby league is when the tackle in rugby league stops, it starts the game again, whereas ours continues. So he’s been working a lot on that.

“But he’s also a consummate professional. He’s in early every day, asking coaches questions, spending time with all of us.”

Lomax flew out with the Force on Wednesday as one of a raft of additions to the squad for Saturday’s season-shaping clash, with Wallabies winger Dylan Pietsch named to start in his first game of the season after recovering from a foot injury.

But the WA side will be without key forwards Carlo Tizzano (short-term knee injury) and Jeremy Williams (head injury protocols), who are both set for short stints on the sideline in the wake of last week’s loss to the Chiefs.

Nick Champion de Crespigny will captain the team in the absence of Williams, while Argentinian international Franco Molina will start alongside Darcy Swain in the second row.

Cron has surprisingly turned to Irish flanker Jack Daly to replace Tizzano, with the former Munster loose forward handed a Super Rugby Pacific debut after impressing for UWA at Premier Grade level.

Mac Grealy comes into the side at full-back to replace Max Burey, while Bayley Kuenzle has shifted inside to inside centre to partner George Bridge in midfield, with Kurtley Beale dropping to the bench.

There is also a change in the front row, with Misinale Epenisa rotating in for Harry Johnson-Holmes at tighthead prop. Nic Dolly returns as the back-up hooker.

Western Force XV vs Queensland Reds

Saturday, Suncorp Stadium, 4.35pm WST

Tom Robertson, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Misinale Epenisa

Franco Molina, Darcy Swain

Nick Champion de Crespigny (c), Vaiolini Ekuasi, Jack Daly

Henry Robertson, Ben Donaldson

Bayley Kuenzle, George Bridge

Darby Lancaster, Mac Grealy, Dylan Pietsch

Substitutes: Nic Dolly, Sef Fa’agase, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Lopeti Faifua, Will Harris, Nathan Hastie, Zac Lomax