Lomax Signs with Rugby Union as Rugby League Insider Panel Declares 'Circus Over'

Zac Lomax’s long-running contract saga appears to have reached it's end, with confirmation this morning that the outside back has signed on with Rugby Union.

Lomax will join the Western Force on a two year deal, effective immediately.

The news follows months of uncertainty around Lomax's future with the 26-year-old coming to a settlement with the Parramatta Eels that meant his former side must give their consent over any future NRL contract.

Speaking on the Monday's edition of Rugby League Insider, host James Hooper said the saga had become exhausting but warned Lomax’s switch still represented a small win for rugby union at a crucial time ahead of next years home World Cup.

“To be brutally honest, guys, this story’s given me the shits now,” Hooper said. “This is exactly what the powerbrokers at the NRL didn’t want, which was Zac Lomax going to rugby union.”

According to Hooper, the governing body had taken a hands-on approach behind the scenes in an attempt to keep Lomax in the 13-man code.

“That’s why the likes of Peter V’landys and Andrew Abdo got as involved, hands-on, as they did with trying to ensure that Zac remained in rugby league,” he said.

While many are quick to dismiss any concerns around the loss of Lomax to union, Hooper insisted the move still hands union valuable publicity - particularly with a Rugby World Cup approaching.

“Look, a lot of the knockers will say we’ve got a million kids coming through,” he said. “And yes, I agree. But there’s no doubt that it is a huge benefit to rugby union.”

Lomax joins a growing list of high-profile NRL names crossing codes, including three from the Roosters ranks: Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (2024) and Angus Crichton and Mark Nawaqanitawase (2026)

“Next year, I think it’s a World Cup year for rugby union. They’re going to have four NRL drawcards — Zac Lomax, Joseph Suaalii, Angus Crichton and another big name... Marky Mark,” Hooper continued.

“Whether we like it or not, they’re all drawcards for the game. Kids love those style of X-factor, bums-on-seats players.”

Fellow host Darcie McDonald was less convinced Lomax’s switch would have any significant impact on rugby league fans.

“I’m one of the knockers,” McDonald said. “I don’t know if it’s just my algorithm, but Rugby Union just - I’m so unbothered by it. It really does not hold a place in my life.”

She argued that even the much-hyped move of Suaalii had failed to lure league followers across to the rival code.

“When Joseph Suaalii went there everyone was up in arms,” she said. “But for me, like Suaalii, did not draw my eyes to rugby union, same with the people in my circle - my family, my friends, my colleagues - none of them started to watch rugby union because he went there.”

“I don’t think it’s really going to cause that much of a ripple effect with Zac Lomax going there. Respectfully to Zac Lomax, I just don't think that many eyes are going to go.”

Still, Hooper countered that the optics matter - particularly when union is battling for relevance in the sporting landscape.

“Whether you like it or not, it’s back page headlines and it’s front page news,” he said. “At the moment rugby union’s buried back with the comic section of the newspapers most days. They struggle for publicity, so I do see this as a small win for them.”

For resident stats man Brandon Savage, the biggest relief was simply that the saga had finally ended.

“Thank God we don’t have to talk about it anymore,” Savage said. “Thank God it’s over."