Zac Lomax has given the Western Force a second wind as they look to continue their Super Rugby Pacific resurgence, lock Darcy Swain says.
The Force's finals hopes were on life support when Lomax took the field for the first time against the Fijian Drua on April 11.
But since then the Perth-based team's fortunes have flipped, winning two in a row against the Waratahs and fifth-placed Crusaders to inch themselves closer to the top six.
Ahead of this Saturday's crunch clash against the ACT Brumbies at GIO Stadium, Swain is hoping Lomax's luck doesn't run out.
Asked if the ex-NRL star's presence had reignited his side, the lock said: "Yes.
"He's brought a lot to the group. He's obviously very athletic and we just need to get the ball in his hands a bit more and let him do his thing," Swain said.
"He's kept up to speed and still learning, and a lot of those older guys like Ben Donaldson and Kurtley Beale are just bringing him along.
"It's awesome having him out there. You just kick a box kick and you know he's going to catch it or tap it back."
Swain is also counting on Lomax to make an on-field impact as he prepares to play his 100th Super Rugby game.
It's a bittersweet moment for the 28-year-old, having made 76 appearances for the Brumbies before leaving ahead of last season.
But if it wasn't for a virus, the lock may have celebrated his milestone match elsewhere.
"When we were about to go to Fiji, I was crook as anything. I had influenza B and couldn't move," Swain said.
"But when I sort of realised a couple of games ago it was going to be here, it was just a really nice feeling."
His good friend and former teammate Ryan Lonergan will look to spoil his achievement, though, as the Brumbies aim to cement their position inside the top six.
After creating some unwanted history by losing their third straight game for the first time since 2018 last round, Lonergan admitted he is worried about losing out on finals as the Brumbies slumped to sixth.
But the captain is remaining upbeat ahead of Saturday, knowing his side will be boosted by the return of Wallaby Allan Alaalatoa from concussion.
"It's really time for us to get back to where we were and start performing so that we can set ourselves up for the rest of the season," Lonergan said.
"We're on an upward trend and we just have to make sure that we continue getting results."
