Zac Lomax has refused to rule out a full-time move to the wing at Parramatta, however, his new teammate Mitchell Moses believes he is better suited to centre. Moses’ comments come after Australia were too strong for New Zealand on the weekend as Lomax starred on the wing, scoring twice to ensure the Kangaroos secured a spot in the Pacific Championship final.
But after another strong performance on the flank, the likes of Cameron Munster and Cooper Cronk questioned why Lomax is so determined to play at centre next year. Lomax made the decision to leave the Dragons and take a pay cut with the Eels to not play on the wing, despite enjoying a breakout season in that position.
In the space of 12 months, Lomax went from a promising back to a representative player, earning calls ups into Michael Maguire’s inaugural Blues side and Mal Meninga’s Kangaroos. But Lomax has confirmed he will play in the centres for his new side under Jason Ryles.
It comes after the winger signed a $2.6 million deal for the Eels, walking away from a much more lucrative per-year deal at the Dragons. And Eels halfback Mitchell Moses is excited to see what he can do at Parramatta next season but dismissed suggestions he could shift onto the wing. “It will be handy to have him there,” Moses told Channel 9 this week.
“He just competed the best (on Sunday). He was outstanding for us. He helps us come up with some big plays.” When asked if he believes Lomax is better on the wing, Moses chuckled and said: “I think he’s a centre.”
Zac Lomax’s positional switch called into question
Shane Flanagan‘s decision to move Lomax to the wing this year helped transform him into one of the league’s best players and has made him one of if not the NRL’s most feared winger. And following a strong showing on the wing against New Zealand, Fox Sports’ Yvonne Sampson asked Cronk and Munster why he would want to play centre after shining out wide. “It does suit him and he can go back and play in the centres for Parramatta but he’ll be picked on the wing every day of the week for NSW and Australia the way that he’s playing,” Cronk said.
While Munster noted even if the move to centre does eventuate at club level it is unlikely he would play there for NSW or Australia. “It’s pretty hard to do what he does at full speed, to be able to look up at the ball in the air and catch it like that,” Munster noted. “He’s a special talent and I don’t know if I’d be changing positions. Especially playing for the Blues and Australia on the wing.” And many fans agree and believe it would be a mistake for the Eels to move him into the centres.