Zac Lomax backs PNG Chiefs to 'shock the NRL' after signing for club's 2028 debut

Papua New Guinea's National Rugby League (NRL) dream has landed another major name.

Former New South Wales (NSW) State of Origin star Zac Lomax has signed with the PNG Chiefs for their inaugural 2028 season, the club announced on the weekend.

Lomax was unveiled to fans in Port Moresby on Sunday, becoming the latest high-profile recruit for the competition's newest club as excitement continues to build around the Chiefs.

The 26-year-old wasted no time embracing his new team and its supporters.

"PNG, thank you very much guys. I just want to say, thank you so much everyone. It's an absolute privilege," Lomax told local fans and media at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.

"I am super honoured to be committed to you guys and it's such a great opportunity for all of us boys and everyone that is going to be coming over to the PNG Chiefs.

"We are going to shock the NRL, I am telling you, and I can't wait to be apart of it."

Lomax joins an impressive list of signings that already includes Jarome Luai, Alex Johnston and Connor Watson, while cross-code star Joey Manu has also been linked with the PNG club in recent days.

Melbourne playmaker Cameron Munster has also been given permission to negotiate with the Chiefs, adding to growing belief that PNG's first NRL side is assembling one of the competition's strongest expansion squads.

Jarome Luai and Alex Johnston are among the marquee players already committed to the PNG Chiefs, with Zac Lomax's signing adding more star power to the club's rapidly growing roster ahead of its historic NRL debut in 2028. Photo/Photosport/NRL

Lomax's return to rugby league comes after a whirlwind year.

Earlier this season, he switched codes to join Super Rugby Pacific side Western Force after Parramatta released him to pursue a move to the now-defunct R360 rugby union competition.

A legal dispute later prevented an immediate return to the NRL, with the Eels retaining his playing rights until the end of 2027.

Currently sidelined through injury, Lomax will remain with the Force before linking up with the Chiefs for their first pre-season late next year.

Before leaving the NRL, Lomax had built a reputation as one of the game's most dangerous outside backs, playing 133 matches across spells with St George Illawarra and Parramatta.

He also featured in every State of Origin match across the 2024 and 2025 series.

Gold Coast Titans and Queensland State of Origin outside back Jojo Fifita says family will guide his decision as he weighs up whether to represent Tonga, New Zealand or Australia at this year's Rugby League World Cup. Photo/Photosport/Andrew Cornaga

World Cup decision looms for Jojo Fifita

While the Chiefs continue to dominate league headlines, Gold Coast Titans outside back Jojo Fifita is facing a different career-defining decision ahead of this year's Rugby League World Cup.

The 23-year-old is eligible to represent Tonga, New Zealand or Australia and says choosing between them has not been easy.

"I have never really been in this position where I have three different countries I could pledge my allegiance to," Fifita told AAP. "It is definitely a tough decision and I still can't get my head around it.

"I support my dad's Tongan heritage. Me and my mum are from New Zealand and I have lived in Australia most of my life.

"I want to give back to all of them but I can only give back to one. I haven't made my decision yet but family will be the major factor."

Fifita said the approaching World Cup has made the decision more urgent after a breakout season that included his State of Origin debut for Queensland.

Wests Tigers brothers Samuela, Sione and Latu Fainu are edging closer to World Cup eligibility for Fiji, with Bati officials working to complete the paperwork needed for the trio to represent their family's homeland. Photo/NRL

Fiji chasing Fainu brothers for Bati

Meanwhile, Fiji is working to strengthen their World Cup squad, with officials trying to secure the international eligibility of Wests Tigers brothers Samuela, Sione and Latu Fainu.

Returning Bati coach Mick Potter said the trio qualify through their Fijian grandmother, although officials are still gathering the paperwork needed to confirm their eligibility.

"There's three players at Wests Tigers whose grandmother is Fijian - and that's the Fainu boys," Potter said.

"We're trying to get that over the line. They're just trying to get the documentation right. I'm very hopeful. They'd be great players to be playing for Fiji."

If approved, the brothers could join a strong Bati squad that already features Api Koroisau, Jahream Bula, Sunia Turuva and Josese Lanyon as Fiji look to return to the Rugby League World Cup semi-finals after falling short in 2022.

The 2026 Rugby League World Cup kicks off on 15 October and ends on 15 November. The tournament will be hosted across New Zealand, Australia and Papua New Guinea.

For more details, visit rlwc2026.com