Tyrel Lomax (21) has been signed by the Highlanders for three seasons from 2019 and has also signed for the Tasman union for two years from 2019.
‘‘As a young prop I can’t wait to get to the Highlanders. They have an awesome culture there and I just want to immerse myself in it and learn as much as possible,’’ he said in a statement yesterday.
Lomax, the son of former Kiwis prop John Lomax, was born in Canberra but grew up in Wellington, where he played rugby league.
But the family moved back to Canberra, where Tyrel Lomax started playing rugby.
He made an immediate impression and played two years for Australia under-20.
The tighthead prop was signed by the Melbourne Rebels and played for the struggling franchise this year.
But he made the decision in recent months to switch allegiance to New Zealand and has moved to Nelson, where he is training with the Makos Mitre 10 Cup squad.
He was named in an expanded Wallabies squad this year but missed out and decided to throw his lot in with New Zealand.
But he has signed with the Rebels for the 2018 season, although he is seeking a release from the Rebels to play in New Zealand next year.
Highlanders chief executive Roger Clark said yesterday the franchise had Lomax on a three year deal from 2019.
‘‘We identified him as a pretty talented young prop and as a Kiwi we saw him and had a chat with him. He then re-signed with the Rebels, but he’s had a bit of a rethink about what he wants to do,’’ he said.
‘‘But we have signed him in 2019. We will have nothing to do with whether he can come and play for us next year. We’re not in a position to talk people out of a contract.’’
Clark said Lomax wanted to play for the All Blacks and was impressed with what the Highlanders had to offer.
He was young for a prop, but was a big build, weighing 127kg and measuring 1.92m tall.
‘‘We’re still going to get him when he is 22 and as a prop the best years for him are going to be in front of him. He’ll be coming into his prime when he is 26-27.’’
Clark said from the Highlanders’ perspective they were planning for him to arrive in 2019, and not any earlier.
The team has tighthead Siate Tokolahi signed for next year, but Siua Halanukonuka has moved to Glasgow Warriors. Southland prop Guy Millar was also in last year’s squad.
Hawke’s Bay prop Brendon Edmonds, who suffered a horror knee injury last year, is still not back to match fitness and is continuing to be assessed. He is the scrum coach for Hawke’s Bay this season.