The Western Force are set to unleash Zac Lomax within the next fortnight as the former NRL star continues his strong build towards a Super Rugby Pacific debut.
Lomax has been training with the Force for the past week after signing with the Perth-based franchise and Australian Rugby on a two-year deal.
The 26-year-old lit up the NRL stage during stints with St George Illawarra and Parramatta, but his bid to join the Melbourne Storm this season - after the breakaway R360 league was postponed until 2028 - ended in an out-of-court settlement ahead of a potential NSW Supreme Court hearing.
Lomax arrived in Perth lacking a pre-season, which meant the Force's clash with the Chiefs at HBF Park this Saturday was always going to be too soon.
But Force coach Simon Cron says Lomax is on track to play on the upcoming two-game road trip, meaning the code-hopping star will be unleashed in either next week's clash with the Queensland Reds in Brisbane or the match in Fiji against Drua on April 11.
"He's a good chance in the next couple of weeks of getting game time," Cron said on Friday.
"Even this morning, we had him training with our boys who aren't playing.
"I think it's just about him getting confident and then us getting him in a position where ideally we're not going to injure him."
Cron praised Lomax's dedication to learning the art of rugby union.Â
"He's still learning, but he's an amazing athlete," Cron said.
"His footwork at the line and his strength in contact is elite.
"I think any rugby league player who moves across to union, the biggest thing (to adapt to) is going to be post-tackleÂ
"In rugby league, it stops and you get to start again. Post-tackle in rugby, she's a green light."Â
When he does earn his debut, Lomax is expected to be eased in off the bench as either winger or fullback.
In the meantime, the Force are focusing on beating the Chiefs, as well as dealing with some hectic Perth weather.
With Cyclone Narelle having made landfall in northern Western Australia, heavy rain is forecast for Perth on Saturday.
The Force are second last on the table with just one win to show from five rounds, and face a big task to topple the Chiefs (3-2).
The return of powerful No.8 Vaiolini Ekuasi is a big boost for the Force, while Kurtley Beale has been named at inside centre again for what will be his 179th Super cap.
It lifts the 37-year-old to outright seventh in competition history for most caps, just one shy of Christian Leali'ifano.
