Highlanders land prop early from Melbourne
The Highlanders will get their hands on prop Tyrel Lomax a year earlier than originally expected.
Lomax, the son of former Kiwis rugby league prop John Lomax, will play for the Dunedin-based franchise in next year’s Super Rugby competition.
The Highlanders announced they had signed the 21-year-old on a two deal a fortnight ago, but would have to wait until 2019 for him to play because he still had a year to run on his contract with the Melbourne Rebels.
However, the Australian side cut him loose last week, before Highlanders chief executive Roger Clark confirmed on Thursday the tighthead prop would join the team next season.
Lomax is also contracted to Mitre 10 Cup team Tasman, who he debuted for with a 32 minute stint off the bench in their 29-27 win over Otago in Dunedin last weekend.
Other than confirming Lomax would indeed play for the Highlanders next season, Clark wasn’t available for comment.
However, securing Lomax, who played 13 games for the Rebels this year, a year earlier than expected boosts Clark’s bid to put together a roster capable of contending for a championship.
There are big wraps on Lomax, with All Blacks coach Steve Hansen recently throwing his name out there when addressing Kiwi props coming through the ranks in the wake of serious injuries to Owen Franks and Joe Moody.
Lomax grew up playing league in Wellington, before switching to rugby when his family moved to Australia. Wallabies coach Michael Cheika named him in his 48-man squad this year, before he withdrew and set his sights on returning to New Zealand.
The Highlanders also have tighthead Siate Tokolahi, who is currently playing for Canterbury, contracted for next year, but Siua Halanukonuka is leaving to play for Glasgow after the national provincial competition wraps up.
Super Rugby teams won’t make their 2018 rosters public until early November, but Highlanders fans can expect to see some new faces.
Malakai Fekitoa, Gareth Evans, Marty Banks and Patrick Osborne won’t be back, while a string of players, including first-five eighth Hayden Parker and midfielder Jason Emery, are off-contract.
Lomax is contracted to the Highlanders longer than any other player, while hookers Liam Coltman and Ash Dixon, fullback Ben Smith, halfback Aaron Smith, utility back Matt Faddes and loose forward Liam Squire will be on deck until at least the end of the 2019 season.
In addition to firming up a roster with new coach Aaron Mauger over the next five weeks, Clark also has to appoint a new defence coach.
The Highlanders will hold a board meeting next week, before announcing Scott McLeod’s replacement, Clark said.