Wallabies flyhalf Carter Gordon believes new Western Force outside back Zac Lomax can succeed in Rugby Union if he puts in the necessary work ahead of Saturday’s debut.
Lomax has been named on the bench for the Force to take on the Reds at Suncorp Stadium, having made the move last month to the 15-a-side game.
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Gordon did the reverse, opting to try and break into the NRL with the Gold Coast Titans after switching from Rugby Union in 2024.
A nasty spinal injury limited his time to just one appearance at the end of the season before joining the Reds for 2026.
With his unique perspective as one of the few currently to have made the switch to either side, Gordon was intrigued to see how his skills translate.
“He's a great player, you've seen what he's done in NRL and [State of] Origins, so it's going to be exciting to see him out there. I’m not sure [how he’s game will translate], it’ll be a working process for him,” Gordon said. “How quickly he can pick up the game is going to be determined on how hard he works on it.
“...I wouldn't say the contact level is too crazy different. [Zac] Lomax is quite a big body, so he'll definitely be up for it.”
Reds coach Les Kiss is expecting a high-ball barrage from both sides, with the Force finding success with the high ball last week against the Chiefs.
Kiss is another who has swapped between both codes, starring on the wing for the North Sydney Bears and Queensland before moving into coaching in Union.
“He's a quality player in league and 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 backfield,” Kiss said.
“He’s got to expect [the high ball]. I'm pretty sure they're going to use a high ball and get him to chase as well, because that was one of his key strengths for sure.
“They’ve got good coaches at the Force and I think that's going to be critical for him just to learn the game from the ground up in terms of the key roles he's got to put in play. He's quite studious himself and has been watching a lot of games.
“I think it doesn't come easy, but you've just got to stick at it.
Gordon returns from a lower leg injury that sidelined him from their defeat in Wellington, while was rested for their win over the Fijian Drua.
“I had the last two weeks off, but I've had two good training weeks, so I'm looking forward to getting back into it,” he added.
