Rugby League Star Zac Lomax Chases World Cup Dream at 26

Zac Lomax is walking away from rugby league stardom to chase something most athletes would never risk: starting completely from scratch.

The 26-year-old former State of Origin winger just wrapped up a stellar NRL career. Now he's joining the Western Force as what he openly calls a rugby union "novice" with dreams of playing for Australia at the 2027 World Cup on home soil.

Lomax hasn't played rugby since primary school. He's realistic about where he stands as he prepares for his potential Super Rugby Pacific debut this month against the Chiefs.

"It's a mountain that I'm at the bottom of, and I really want to climb and become the best rugby union player that I possibly can," Lomax said. "Realistically, there's so much that I need to learn."

His path here wasn't smooth. Lomax walked out on two NRL clubs and saw his bid to join Melbourne Storm blocked in court. The controversy followed him all the way to his new beginning.

But Lomax stands firm on every decision he made. "That's me that made the decisions, and it's me that has to suffer the consequences," he said.

Why This Inspires

Most athletes cling to what they know. Lomax is doing the opposite at an age when many players are settling into their prime earning years.

He's leaving the NRL as a recent Provan-Summons Medal winner at the peak of his powers. Instead of coasting on reputation, he's choosing the steepest learning curve imaginable.

"I'm leaving at the peak of my career in the rugby league tournaments, but it's something that motivates me," Lomax explained. "I'm going to start to build the game from the ground up as a player."

His gratitude for his rugby league journey shines through despite the messy exit. He credits the Dragons and Parramatta for giving him and his family opportunities to play at the highest level.

Now Lomax is betting on himself in a sport where he's starting as a beginner. That takes courage most people never find.

The 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia gives him just two years to transform from novice to international contender. It's an audacious timeline that most experts would call unrealistic.

But watching someone choose growth over comfort at 26 reminds us that peak performance isn't just about wins. Sometimes it's about having the guts to become a student again.