Western Force star Zac Lomax is eager to show his full capabilities as he prepares for a move into the midfield.
Lomax is set to feature at outside centre for the Force in their Super Rugby AUS campaign, with their opener against the Queensland Reds on Saturday.
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It comes after an extended period on the sidelines dealing with osteitis pubis, a non-infectious inflammation of the pubic symphysis.
The injury dates back to his final NRL season with the Parramatta Eels last September, when he needed injections to get through as he learnt a new sport the hard way.
"It was crippling. I haven't even been able to golf because I haven't put a ball on a tee once. Since I've been over here, I haven't kicked one goal. I haven't done one drop goal," he revealed to the media.
"You want to be able to train at 100%, especially coming over and learning a different game and I was learning the game sitting on the side, watching the whole time.
"I probably would have been lucky to get one full session out since I first got here. It's been the last two sessions here in Super Aus that have been my [first] full sessions since I've been at the Force."
With his return to play comes a new position for Lomax, moving into the midfield under the advice of coach Simon Cron.
It's the position he played last in union before committing to his rugby league dream, excited by the challenge.
"I'll play wherever but I think Cronny's reasoning behind it was to get my hands on the ball as much as possible and a good opportunity to help me understand the game," he explained.
"It just helps educate me around the game and gives me a bit more of an understanding."
Lomax has already confirmed he will return to the 13-a-side game in 2028 with expansion side PNG Chiefs, but there are still plenty of goals to tick off in the meantime.
The former NSW and Australian representative is eyeing off becoming a dual-code international, with Australia A's tour of the USA in October a perfect launchpad.
A maiden finals appearance for the Force also is fresh on the mind, with the club narrowly missing out after Lomax helped inspire a second-half revival.
"I'd love to play for the Wallabies and that's the plan for everyone playing Super Rugby but for me, I didn't want to be naive to think my body just wasn't in the right shape to be able to do that. When I hopefully get a chance to be able to pull on a gold jersey, I want to be at 110% so for me, that was resting and being sweet to go," he said.
"Hopefully I'm ready to go next weekend to put my hand up for selection but it's all game-by-game.
"I've still got another full season here next year so we haven't played finals here and that is the ultimate goal. I want to help this team be able to play finals footy, and that starts from the bottom up."
