St George Illawarra Dragons rookie Zac Lomax tasked with shutting down South Sydney’s left edge
ZAC Lomax is the unknown rookie who has been tasked with trying to do something the rest of the competition has failed with – stop South Sydney’s potent left edge.
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HE is the unknown rookie who has been tasked with trying to do something the rest of the competition has failed with — stop South Sydney’s potent left edge.
Zac Lomax, 18, will stare down his idol Greg Inglis in a bid to halt the rampant South Sydney backline which has seen winger Robert Jennings score 19 tries from as many games this year.
The Inglis-Jennings combination has been among the best in the NRL this season, with Lomax already having a taste just how damaging Inglis can be.
Lomax played just five minutes off the interchange bench in his debut game against South Sydney in round 10, with Inglis sailing past him to score.
“There was a bit of an overlap down the edge and what I clearly remember is trying to push GI (Inglis) over in the corner but they ended up getting the try,” Lomax said.
“Obviously, it was good to make my debut.
“I guess watching footy, he is someone I looked up to especially because I play centre and fullback so he is someone to base your game on – he is big and powerful.
“Everyone is talking about their left edge but the Dragons showed earlier in the year how they can shut them down. I am sure the coaching staff will come up with a pretty good game plan around that.”
Lomax is still unsure if he will keep his starting spot despite starring for the Dragons last week. Euan Aitken has been named on an extended bench as he pushes his recovery from a hamstring injury.
“I still don’t know whether I will play or not but it is definitely bit of confidence booster to know the team is performing well,” Lomax said. “The team is going to take a lot of confidence into this weekend’s game.
“It just all comes down to preparation, you just stick to the same routine and just know what you have got to do, who you are coming up against and your role for the team.
“If Euay plays he showed what he can do against GI earlier in the season but I can do the job if I do get the nod.”
A freak training injury has restricted Lomax’s appearances this year. He broke his hand while doing boxing sparring on the body of Steven Marsters.
“It was the week after I (made my debut), I was throwing into a boxing session just to get a bit more fitness and we were sparring and I threw a hook and it just connected wrong,” Lomax said.”
“I fractured my scaphoid and I got surgery on it a few days later and I was out for eight weeks.”