Western Force coach Simon Cron is set to resist the temptation to unleash Zac Lomax against the Chiefs in a fortnight, saying he doesn’t want to put the star code-hopper at risk.
It comes as Les Kiss, set to take over as Wallabies coach later this year, warned there would be no walk-up Test start for the NRL star.
Lomax sent the NRL into a spin this week when he confirmed he was making the switch to rugby union.
The 26-year-old has signed a two-year deal with Rugby Australia and the Force, with his ultimate goal to play at the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
There was initial hope Lomax could make his Super Rugby Pacific debut straight after the Force’s upcoming bye – in the March 28 home clash with the Chiefs.
But Cron gave a strong indication on Wednesday that Lomax wouldn’t be risked, with away games against the Queensland Reds (April 4) and Fijian Drua (April 11) – or the home clash with the Crusaders on April 18 – looming as the more likely options.
“He’s an athlete, and he’s been training himself and doing a lot of boxing and running,” Cron said.
“But it’s going to be more a case of high speed metres and getting him going fast and just seeing how his body is.
“Just to make sure that we’re not putting him at risk, and we’ll just slowly build his load. So I don’t think we can push it.”
If all goes well, Lomax will become a key plank in the Wallabies’ bid to win the 2027 World Cup.
But Kiss was quick to stress that everyone in the squad would have to earn their place.
“We’ve got good talent and it’s coming through,” said Kiss, who is helming the Queensland Reds until the end of this season.
“Not just in the Super Rugby at the moment, a lot of good young boys.
“That’s exciting and anyone that wants to come into our game, they’re going to have to earn their coin.”
Ahead of Saturday’s derby with NSW Waratahs, Kiss was reluctant to elaborate on the Lomax signing but said the NRL star would earn respect if he fulfils his promise to work hard.
Keeping Lomax in rugby ranks beyond the World Cup could prove to be tricky.
His bid to join the Melbourne Storm was thwarted by the Supreme Court – at least for now – and the Perth Bears will also be sniffing once Lomax’s two-year deal in rugby expires.
Cron has a simple plan to keep Lomax out of the reaches of NRL sides.
“Make him very good at rugby,” Cron said.
“He has amazing talent under the high ball. He’s got speed, he’s got a great kick, he’s powerful, he’s a big body.
“I think his position is an area where it’s transferable (from league to union), and there’s been a lot of guys with success in it.”
Lomax is a self-confessed “novice” to rugby union, revealing he hasn’t played the sport since primary school.
“I need to understand how the game actually operates,” he said.
“The things that I bring are my attributes of my running game and my aerial threat.”
