Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss expects a barrage of high balls from Western Force on Saturday in their attempt to get the best use out of former NRL star Zac Lomax in his Super Rugby Pacific debut.
The former Parramatta and NSW State of Origin winger, who joined the Perth-based outfit last month, has been named on the Force’s bench for the Suncorp Stadium battle.
“When he comes on, we’ll see how he goes,” Kiss said.
“He’s a quality player in league. I’m sure he’s going to have his good moments. It just takes a long time to learn the nuances of the game around the ruck and the back field.
“I’m pretty sure they’re going to use the high ball and get him to chase it as well because that was of his key strengths (in rugby league) for sure.”
Himself a former State of Origin winger for Queensland, Kiss said the change to rugby union won’t “come easy” for Lomax.
“You’ve just got to stick at it, and he gets his first taste this weekend,” the Reds mentor said.
“They’ve got good coaches there at the Force. That’s going to be critical for him to learn the game from the ground up in terms of the key roles he’s got to put into play.”
The struggling Force have lost five of their six games this season, while Queensland’s winning steak, which has stretched to four successive wins, came to abrupt halt last Saturday with a 52-14 loss to the Hurricanes in Wellington.
Kiss has made four changes – all in the backs – to the team that started last weekend.
Flyhalf Carter Gordon and halfback Kalani Thomas will start at the expense of Harry McLaughlin-Phillips and Louis Werchon respectively, winger Treyvon Pritchard replaces Tim Ryan, and centre Josh Flook comes in for Isaac Henry.
Wallabies playmaker Gordon’s return comes after missing Queensland’s past two games.
“He’s champing at the bit. He gives us another way to play the game for sure,” Kiss said.
“Harry (McLaughlin-Phillips) will come off the bench and do it his way as well. but we’re looking forward to seeing this weekend Carter up against (Force flyhalf) Ben Donaldson.
“It will be a good battle.”
Queensland Reds: Aidan Ross, Josh Nasser, Nick Bloomfield, Seru Uru, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Joe Brial, Fraser McReight (c), Harry Wilson, Kalani Thomas, Carter Gordon, Treyvon Pritchard, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Filipo Daugunu, Jock Campbell. Bench: Matt Faessler,
Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Zane Nonggorr, Hamish Muller, Vaiuta Latu, Louis Werchon, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Tim Ryan.
Originally published as Queensland Reds ready for aerial assault as former NRL star Zac Lomax debuts for Western Force
