Lomax Embraces Rugby Challenge Amidst Scorching Perth Heat
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has expressed strong confidence in Zac Lomax’s dedication to a rugby union career, despite the NRL recruit navigating his initial, gruelling training sessions under the oppressive 36-degree Perth sun. The Western Force, Lomax’s new club, are currently enjoying a bye week. This break has provided Lomax with a golden opportunity to immerse himself in the fundamentals of a sport he last played as a teenager, some 15 years ago.
Western Force coach Simon Cron has been personally investing significant one-on-one time with Lomax. Their focus has been particularly sharp on the crucial “ground work” elements of the game, specifically at the ruck and in post-tackle situations, as well as refining his positional play in the backfield.
Lomax has also engaged in insightful conversations with Joe Schmidt himself, and the soon-to-be successor to Schmidt at the Test level, current Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss.
Schmidt commented on Lomax’s approach, observing, “The good thing with Zac is he’s not getting ahead of himself. Simon Cron is working with him at the moment. He’ll be delighted, working hard, 36 degrees today in Perth, he’ll be gasping a little bit…”
Schmidt elaborated on Lomax’s drive, stating, “He impressed me as being very driven – and he’s driven to try to help the Force first and foremost. And I like that about a player who is not thinking about where they can go. They’re thinking about how they can help… it’s what he can add to the team that he plays for and Zac has very much been like that thus far. And we look forward to seeing him take the field for the Force, whenever that does happen to be.”
The Western Force are currently sitting 10th out of 11 teams in the competition, with a challenging 1-4 record. Their next fixture is a formidable challenge against competition favourites, the Chiefs, in Perth on March 28th.
Cron has been exploring various positional options for Lomax, floating him as a potential fullback. However, given Lomax’s physical attributes, a move to the centres is also a strong possibility.
“But I think wing is probably the most likely,” former winger Schmidt offered. “I’ll be interested to see how he goes. Wing, with the aerial game and the way that’s developed – he’s not super tall – but he’s quite a tall guy (190cm) with a big, broad set of shoulders and good spring. He’s very good in the air. Just having that on the edge is beneficial for starters. He’s got good top end speed, so he ticks a few boxes on the wing.”
The Steepest Learning Curve: Navigating the Wing
When asked about the most significant challenges Lomax might face, Schmidt highlighted the defensive responsibilities of a winger.
“It can be a bit lonely defending on the wing,” Schmidt noted. “Whoever’s playing fullback, if it is Mac Grealy or Max Burey, they’re going to have to help him just positionally originally. But talking to him, he’s a bit of a student of the game. He knew who else was there, who else was in the Australian system. How they’d played in the (Wallabies) Spring Tour. So he’s definitely already trying to work out how he best defends in different positions, but wing and fullback were two of the ones that we talked about briefly.”
Schmidt is set to lead the Wallabies through a demanding series of three home Tests in July against Ireland, France, and Italy. Following this, he will transition out of the head coaching role, handing the reins to Les Kiss. Kiss’s inaugural challenge will be to face Eddie Jones’ Japan in Osaka on August 8th.
Regarding Kiss’s coaching style, Schmidt commented, “He’s more likely to shift direction than change direction. It’s not likely to be big shifts immediately, he’ll work his way to any change in how the game’s played.”
While Schmidt is prioritising more time with his family after July, he has indicated a potential for continued involvement with Rugby Australia, Les Kiss, and the Wallabies in the lead-up to next year’s home World Cup.
“I’m comfortable with the conversations. I’ve got some other responsibilities and priorities and how they may dovetail in the future,” Schmidt explained. “I think I’m better to get right out of the way. Let Les really lead that window through to the end of the year, and if Les wants a hand on the back of that, yeah. We coached together over 10 years ago (with Ireland), and have been friends since, so it’s not like I’d be a million miles away.”
Emerging Talent in the Wallabies Fold
Schmidt also expressed his satisfaction with the burgeoning competition within the Wallabies’ backrow stocks, specifically mentioning Charlie Cale, Pete Samu, Joe Brial, and Will Harris.
ACT Brumbies’ No.10, Declan Meredith, has also entered the Wallabies’ playmaking conversation, enjoying a breakout Super Rugby Pacific season.
“Declan is a mature player, he’s 26, and he’s played fullback and wing, so he’s got enough high speed,” Schmidt said. “I don’t know if you saw early in the season, he went through a loose forward and a hooker to score a try under the (posts), in their first game of the season. He’s not afraid of the contact area, he’s brave defensively, and he’s pretty competent going up for the ball in a contest.”
Schmidt further praised Meredith’s leadership qualities, noting, “Having watched him at Brumbies training, he also is quite commanding in the way that he runs the team, in that others are looking for direction. If you’ve got your 10, decisive, can see the space, understands the game. And I think Declan’s done a longer apprenticeship than most coming into Super Rugby, some of the other guys, they come in very young and it’s hard to see the wood for the trees sometimes at 10, with that step up and pressure. And when you get to Test level, that wood’s a lot thicker. And having had those experiences and built on them, I think it just allows him to see more, and stay calmer, and be more decisive.”
Schmidt also shared his delight regarding Carter Gordon’s impressive form for the Reds, a welcome sight after an injury-plagued 2025 season that impacted both league and union commitments.
“One of the frustrations around the Spring Tour, he was injured, he couldn’t kick at goal, he couldn’t kick for the line when we did play him against Italy,” Schmidt recalled. “And even in the French Test, he was set to be named and then the last kick of that last training, he pulled up sore again. Now that he’s got through that I’m excited to see where he can get to. Tom Lynagh is back there though, and he’s almost back to full training, so there’ll be good competition there.”
Schmidt Reflects on All Blacks Coaching Appointment
Schmidt also offered his perspective on the All Blacks’ decision to appoint former Wallabies mentor Dave Rennie as their coach through to the World Cup. Australia is scheduled to face New Zealand in Pool A on October 9th in Sydney.
“He’s still really well respected by the Wallabies players,” Schmidt stated. “He does a great job building a culture, building connection, and if you have that, you’re already halfway there, because it means something. It means something to play for the jersey, but it also means a heck of a lot to play for the guy either side of you and I think Rens builds that really well.”
Schmidt served as Ian Foster’s right-hand man at the previous World Cup but ultimately declined approaches from New Zealand Rugby following Scott Robertson’s departure from the coaching role.
“I loved my time with the All Blacks and I’ve loved my time with the Wallabies,” he said. “I feel a real sense of loyalty to the players who have tried really hard to try to build their way forward because we weren’t in a great space two years ago (after Jones’ exit). While we didn’t have a great tour (last year), I think there were glimpses of what people could see the team being capable of.”
