Zac Lomax out for six weeks in blow for NSW Origin coach Laurie Daley

Zac Lomax kicked Parramatta to their first win of the season with a broken foot, which is set to leave the winger in a race against time to be fit for the State of Origin series opener.

Lomax sealed the Eels’ first win of Jason Ryles’ tenure last Saturday when he kicked a golden-point field goal in Parramatta’s 23-22 win over his former club St George Illawarra.

It was initially believed that Lomax had suffered bruising to his foot after he spent a good chunk of the second half limping.

But scans revealed late on Tuesday that Lomax had a minor fracture in his foot, with the 25-year-old set to miss the next six weeks of action, starting with Saturday’s clash against Canberra in Darwin.

Bailey Simonsson appears the most likely option for Ryles to turn to in Lomax’s absence.

The injury leaves Lomax at long odds to return to the NSW squad for State of Origin I in Brisbane on May 28.

Lomax was one of the success stories of the Blues’ 2024 series victory, the ex-Dragons flyer featuring in every game, scoring three tries and kicking eight goals after being installed as the NSW goalkicker.

If Lomax’s return to fitness goes to schedule he will line up for the Eels in round 11 against Newcastle on May 16, giving him just one match to press his claim for a recall.

NSW coach Laurie Daley is set to name his squad for the series opener on May 19.

Daley said on Monday night he had planned to play Lomax on the wing.

“I haven’t spoken to Zac. The last time I spoke to Zac was in the camp we had in the preseason. I see Zac as a winger not a centre at this level. And if Zac’s in the team it will be on the wing, not in the centres,” he told NRL360.

Lomax’s injury comes at the same time fellow incumbent NSW winger Brian To’o is sidelined with a hamstring issue, which is expected to rule him out until round nine.

Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic, who has played Origin as both a winger and centre, is also not due back until round nine after being sidelined with a medial ligament injury.

Daley will also be hoping Eels halfback Mitchell Moses can find some instant form when he returns from a foot issue.

Moses has been struggling with pain in his foot caused by a screw inserted during surgery last year and starred for the Blues in last year’s series.

He is also due back in round nine and will jostle with Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai for a place as a five-eighth or halfback in the Blues’ set-up.

Daley said Moses could partner Cleary given then Penrith superstar was an automatic pick as the NSW half-back.

“If he is not the best player, he is the second-best player in the game. If NSW run out with Nathan Cleary and he is fit we are in a very, very strong position,” he told Fox Sports.

“The key for Mitch is to get back and play.I was really impressed with what he did last series. I think Mitch has the ability to play five-eighth. I thought his kicking game was fantastic last year.

“His ability to make plays when games were on the line really impressed me and we saw that in game three. In game two, he was excellent, he got man of the match. In game three when the big moments rolled around he was able to deliver.”