In the world of rugby, transitions from league to union are always a tale worth telling, and Zac Lomax's recent switch under the guidance of Sonny Bill Williams adds a rich chapter to this narrative. Lomax, formerly a stalwart in the NRL with notable tenures at St. George Illawarra and Parramatta Eels, has now embraced the union challenge with Western Force, inspired by the legendary All Black.
Lomax's journey into rugby union was influenced profoundly by Sonny Bill Williams, who himself famously switched codes in 2008. Williams' successful transition culminated in winning two Rugby World Cup titles with New Zealand in 2011 and 2015. Lomax, reflecting on his mentor’s impact, shared on the Full Force Podcast,
"Sonny’s just a person that I admire... I more or less admire Sonny from a family standpoint. He’s just such a good human being and that’s what I love about him, but he’s the kind of person that I’ve admired in the sense that he’s courageous and he’s backed his ability and obviously he’s backed it up time and time again."
The 26-year-old's code switch was not without its uncertainties, as an earlier commitment to the rebel league R360 fell through due to delays. However, this setback paved the way for his union debut with the Force, where he swiftly made his mark by scoring a try in his first start, contributing to a 31-26 victory over the Crusaders.
Lomax credits not just Williams but also his family and friends for their support during this significant change in his athletic career. He expressed a robust commitment to his new path, stating, "It works out, it works out, if not then I’ve given it a red-hot crack. But I’m going to throw every ounce of me into it to be the best Zac Lomax that I can as a rugby union player."
As Lomax continues to adapt to his new sporting code, the rugby community watches with keen interest. The Western Force, currently on a bye, are gearing up for their next challenge against the Waratahs in an anticipated Australian derby in Sydney on May 1. This match promises not only to showcase Lomax's evolving union skills but also to highlight the enduring influence of Sonny Bill Williams on players transitioning between rugby’s two codes.
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In the world of rugby, transitions from league to union are always a tale worth telling, and Zac Lomax's recent switch under the guidance of Sonny Bill Williams adds a rich chapter to this narrative. Lomax, formerly a stalwart in the NRL with notable tenures at St. George Illawarra and Parramatta Eels, has now embraced the union challenge with Western Force, inspired by the legendary All Black.
Lomax's journey into rugby union was influenced profoundly by Sonny Bill Williams, who himself famously switched codes in 2008. Williams' successful transition culminated in winning two Rugby World Cup titles with New Zealand in 2011 and 2015. Lomax, reflecting on his mentor’s impact, shared on the Full Force Podcast,
"Sonny’s just a person that I admire... I more or less admire Sonny from a family standpoint. He’s just such a good human being and that’s what I love about him, but he’s the kind of person that I’ve admired in the sense that he’s courageous and he’s backed his ability and obviously he’s backed it up time and time again."
The 26-year-old's code switch was not without its uncertainties, as an earlier commitment to the rebel league R360 fell through due to delays. However, this setback paved the way for his union debut with the Force, where he swiftly made his mark by scoring a try in his first start, contributing to a 31-26 victory over the Crusaders.
Lomax credits not just Williams but also his family and friends for their support during this significant change in his athletic career. He expressed a robust commitment to his new path, stating, "It works out, it works out, if not then I’ve given it a red-hot crack. But I’m going to throw every ounce of me into it to be the best Zac Lomax that I can as a rugby union player."
As Lomax continues to adapt to his new sporting code, the rugby community watches with keen interest. The Western Force, currently on a bye, are gearing up for their next challenge against the Waratahs in an anticipated Australian derby in Sydney on May 1. This match promises not only to showcase Lomax's evolving union skills but also to highlight the enduring influence of Sonny Bill Williams on players transitioning between rugby’s two codes.