Zac Lomax’s Potential Transition to Rugby
Australian rugby fans are no strangers to underwhelming moments, so Zac Lomax’s interrupted debut in the Super Rugby Pacific may not have come as a surprise. However, it did create a sense of anticipation, especially considering that Lomax’s entry into professional rugby might occur on what could be the most challenging road trip in the competition — facing the Fijian Drua in Lautoka.
The Western Force decided not to include Lomax in their lineup for the match against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane after he experienced hamstring tightness in the lead-up to the game. He was named on the reserves bench and watched from the sidelines as the Force secured a commanding 42-19 victory over the Reds. Unfortunately, this win was marred by injuries to wingers Dylan Pietsch (foot) and Darby Lancaster (ankle), both of whom are now doubtful for the upcoming match against the Drua. If Lomax is fit, he may get his chance to play against the Drua.
“It’d be a hell of an introduction for him,” said Force coach Simon Cron. However, there are still questions about whether Lomax will be ready for the challenge. He has only been with the Force for three weeks since switching codes, and his commitment to rugby has been questioned in some quarters. Earlier this year, he had hoped to continue playing for the Melbourne Storm in the NRL until legal issues prevented any potential move.
Despite these challenges, Lomax seems to be fully committed to his new role with the Force. Observers noted that he was often seen encouraging his teammates, such as waiting for Ben Donaldson to finish a half-time TV interview before giving him a fist bump. Cron has praised Lomax’s professionalism, which is unsurprising given his success in the NRL.
On talent alone, there is no reason why Lomax cannot succeed in rugby. What remains uncertain is whether he can adapt to the technical demands of the 15-a-side game. Having experienced coaches like Cron and Kurtley Beale on his side will be invaluable in this transition.
Ben Donaldson Shines for the Force
If the Force could bottle the performance they delivered against the Reds, a finals appearance would be within reach. Reaching the playoffs is not out of the question for the Force, but the task is difficult given their current record of two wins from seven matches this season.
Mac Grealy’s try late in the first half was one of the standout moments of the game, while Argentina international Franco Molina’s hat-trick highlighted his overall performance. Orchestrating the Force’s attack was fly-half Ben Donaldson, whose game management was exceptional. His individual touches, such as the cross-field kick that set up Darby Lancaster’s second-half try, showcased his skill set.
In the battle of the fly-halves, Donaldson outperformed Carter Gordon, although the Queenslander looked underprepared after missing three matches due to injury. Donaldson’s challenge now is to replicate his Super Rugby Pacific form at the Test level, as he has struggled when wearing the Wallabies’ number 10 jersey. Time will tell if he gets the opportunity later this year, though incoming Wallabies coach Les Kiss surely took note of his performance while watching as the Reds’ coach.
The Waratahs Face Reality
After a remarkable victory over the ACT Brumbies in Canberra, the Waratahs were brought back down to earth with a 42-14 loss to the Chiefs in Hamilton. This result left them in seventh place on the standings with a 3-4 win-loss record. The keystone of their previous win was strong execution on both sides of the ball, but this aspect was largely absent against the Chiefs.
The Waratahs conceded six tries and struggled to cope with the attacking pressure from the home side. Their scrum was also dominated, and discipline was an issue, as they gave away the first five penalties of the match. They also wasted several opportunities with the ball in hand.
However, there was a bright spot in the form of winger Max Jorgensen. His brilliant cover tackle on Emoni Narawa saved a certain try in the first half, and his quick thinking led to a long ball that set up Sid Harvey’s try. If a Wallabies squad was selected this week, Jorgensen would be a strong candidate for inclusion.
Harvey’s Struggles at Fullback
In the wake of the Waratahs’ win over the Brumbies, coach Dan McKellar offered advice about not placing too much expectation on young players like Harvey. The 20-year-old had just helped the team secure their first victory in Canberra since 2018. “We’ve just got to let him develop and become a really good Super Rugby player first,” McKellar told Stand Sport.
Although Harvey scored the first Waratahs try against the Chiefs, he had a tough night at fullback. He fumbled a kick reception close to the goal line that led to the Chiefs’ opening try and struggled under high balls for much of the match. While it would be unfair to blame him for being bumped off by the Chiefs’ Quinn Tupaea, his experience in New Zealand will serve as a valuable learning opportunity.
Tom Hooper’s Future in England
Tom Hooper has made a solid impact for Exeter Chiefs in his first season in the English Premiership. An MCL strain in late January slowed his progress, but he has been a consistent performer since returning to the field last month. In their recent 31-21 win over Munster, Hooper played blindside flanker, securing a spot in the EPCR Challenge Cup quarterfinals.
Hooper is enjoying his time in England and has expressed a desire to extend his two-year contract with the Chiefs. “If I’m over here and I still feel like I’m being challenged as an athlete and as a person, and I’m still growing in those areas, then this is the best place for me,” he said. Exeter’s director of rugby, Rob Baxter, has also indicated he wants Hooper to stay.
While Hooper is still available for Wallabies selection, a contract extension would delay any potential return to the Super Rugby Pacific. He was one of the Brumbies’ best in 2025, and having world-class players like him in Australia is crucial for making the domestic competition competitive. Playing in the forward-dominated environments of England and Europe will help Hooper develop further, which is a positive for the Wallabies.
