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All Black tighthead prop signs long-term extension after breakout season
By Ben Smith
Hurricanes prop Tyrel Lomax was out of the All Blacks picture at the start of the 2022 season but has now inked a new four-year deal with NZR off the back of a stellar 2022 year.
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Lomax has re-committed to New Zealand Rugby until the end of 2026, and will remain eligible for the All Blacks with the Hurricanes and Tasman Mako.
“My family and I are very happy to have re-signed with Tasman, the Hurricanes and NZR – three outfits I feel very privileged to represent,” Lomax said in a statement released by NZR.
The deal caps off a dramatic change in fortunes for the 23-Test All Black after being called into the All Blacks squad as injury cover after the side lost to the Springboks in South Africa last year.
He played for the Maori All Blacks against Ireland during July and was in the middle of an NPC campaign with Tasman when he was drafted in.
Lomax replaced Chiefs prop Angus Ta’avao in the starting side for the second test at Ellis Park as part of a revamped front row which laid the platform for an infamous 35-23 win.
The 27-year-old then retained his starting role for the rest of the season becoming an integral part of the All Blacks forward pack as the first-choice tighthead.
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The long-term commitment for Lomax is a major career milestone after taking a winding path to become an All Black starter.
The Canberra-born son of a rugby league great began his Super Rugby career with the Melbourne Rebels after 10 caps with the Australia U20 side.
In 2017 he made the move across the ditch to New Zealand, signing with the Highlanders and Tasman.
As a Highlander he made his All Blacks debut in 2018 as part of the experimental side that played Japan on the end of year tour but would have to wait another two years to wear the black jersey again.
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A franchise switch to the Hurricanes in 2020, a move back to where he grew up in Wellington, coincided with a recall to Ian Foster’s side, featuring in five Tests that year before seven more in 2021.
“We were delighted to sign Tyrel in 2020 and he has been a key member of our club since then,” said Hurricanes CEO Avan Lee.
“He is a really humble man that is going from strength to strength on the field, and it’s great to see him cement a place in the All Blacks too.”
“Tyrel has been an integral part of our pack and our scrum over the last couple of years,” said Hurricanes head coach Jason Holland.
“Over the last 12 months he has also been outstanding for the All Blacks. So it’s massive for the Hurricanes to have him as the cornerstone of our pack.”
Seemingly out of favour again in 2022, Lomax took his chance and is now firmly in line to play at his first Rugby World Cup later this year in France.
Lomax has 33 caps with the Tasman Mako at NPC level, winning a provincial title in 2019 with the side. At Super Rugby level he has 84 caps, of which 40 are with the Hurricanes.
He has represented the Maori All Blacks eight times and the All Blacks 23 times to date.
