Lomax return to NRL with PNG will not harm Wallabies chances, says Kiss

Zac Lomax’s impending return to rugby league with the PNG Chiefs in 2028 will not hurt his chances of playing for the Wallabies and making the Rugby World Cup squad next year, according to new coach Les Kiss.If anyone understands a rugby league winger with ambition to be a success in rugby, it’s Kiss, the former Bears and Kangaroos flyer who last week took over as Wallabies coach.Since moving into rugby coaching in 2001, Kiss says he has now been in the 15-man game longer than he was in league – but in a nice twist, the Wallabies began training under their new coach this week at North Sydney Oval, where Kiss scored many of his tries over a 100-game career.“It’s a bit surreal,” Kiss said. “It was nice to be there at the oval and look at the fig tree. Some memories come flooding back, for sure.”Kiss and the Wallabies will fly to Japan on Saturday ahead a Test match against Eddie Jones’ Japan on August 8 in sweltering Osaka.One player who won’t be on the plane is Lomax, who was floated as a potential Wallabies bolter this winter after switching codes in March but is currently sidelined with a groin injury. Lomax signed a deal with the Western Force and Rugby Australia through to the end of 2027, with the goal of becoming a dual international and playing in the World Cup.Wallabies Head Coach Les Kiss attends training at the North Sydney Oval.Audrey RichardsonAt the weekend, however, Lomax announced he had signed on to join PNG Chiefs from 2028. Rugby Australia were aware of Lomax visiting Port Moresby, and the winger says he will see out his contract in rugby and still dreams of becoming a dual international.Some pundits responded by arguing Lomax should not be considered for the Wallabies, given he is going back to the NRL. But Kiss doesn’t share that sentiment, and said he will pick the cross-coder if Lomax earns it.“I’ve stated before, we need as much competitive pressure for selection as possible,” Kiss said. “Competitive pressure in the right way makes everyone better.“He [Lomax] is a pretty good footy player, and a pretty good athlete, too. He’s hungry to try and do what he can in the game. He’s in the system, and I’ve spoken to ‘Crono’ [Force coach Simon Cron], he’s keen to get him back.Stand aside, here come the might Bears: (from left) Gary Larson, Paul Conlon, Greg Florimo and Les Kiss, in 1991.Fairfax Media“He’s getting closer to being ready, and to unleash him in Super Rugby AU to get a few games to see where he is.“He in the [Wallabies] picture, as they all are. It [wing] is a competitive position, though, and that’s the important thing. If he comes really good, it makes it hard to make some selections there, which I need. I need it to be tough to make those selections. If he gets better and better, and puts pressure on those guys to be better, then I’m all for it.”Kiss said the first week of training had been focused on introducing the framework of a re-jigged defensive system under new coach Scott McLeod, the former All Blacks defence coach.“The boys have already bought into the real key principles he’s brought in. We want to make sure that we’re a connected defence but be able to put pressure on at the right time,” Kiss said.Zac Lomax, in action for the Western Force, will move back to league in 2028 with the PNG Chiefs.Getty Images“It’s an obvious place to start. There’s a very methodical way that um that ‘Stormy’ [McLeod] has approached it.”Like changing a golf swing a week before a tournament, changing a defensive system in the middle of a Test winter carries risk, with room for error given players’ habits aren’t yet bedded down.But Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson said change is a must if the Wallabies want to climb up from eighth, and win more than 40 per cent of their games.“We’re very aware where we’re sitting right now currently,” Wilson said.“We want to be winning more test matches consistently, and if this gives us the opportunity to do that, we’re we’re all buying in. Obviously, at the moment, we’re trying to fast-track it so we can be next Saturday be ready for it under lights. But in saying that, it’s not as if it’s ridiculous changes.“So the boys have all been buying in and hopefully under the pressure we’ll stand tall.”News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.Iain Payten is a senior sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.From our partners