All Blacks prop Tyrel Lomax has re-committed to New Zealand Rugby (NZR) until the end of 2026.
The extension will also see the 26-year-old continue to be aligned with the Hurricanes in DHL Super Rugby Pacific and the Tasman Mako in the Bunnings Warehouse NPC.
“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.
The 23-Test tighthead prop was one of the All Blacks’ top performers in 2022 and has proudly represented the Māori All Blacks on eight occasions.
“Tyrel represents himself, his family and this country with pride,” said NZR CEO Mark Robinson. “We are proud of his growth and can’t wait to see what this next period brings for his career.”
Born in Canberra where his Kiwi father John became a rugby league great, Lomax spent time on both sides of the Tasman during his childhood. He launched his Super Rugby career in Melbourne but moved to New Zealand in 2017 to sign with Tasman and the Highlanders, before making his All Blacks debut the following year.
He would not add to that sole international appearance until 2020, when he joined the Hurricanes.
“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.”
Of Tūhoe and Muaūpoko descent, Lomax’s move to Wellington was fitting given he grew up in Wainuiomata where his dad played and coached.
“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.”
Lomax has represented Tasman since 2017, playing a key role in their maiden NPC title win in 2019. While playing for the Mako last year, he was recalled to the All Blacks as injury cover during The Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship, quickly cementing himself as the first-choice tighthead.
“It is great to have Tyrel re-sign with the Mako,” said Gray Cornelius, who co-coaches Tasman alongside Dan Perrin. “Obviously, he is a fantastic rugby player, but also a great Mako man.”
Tasman CEO Lyndon Bray was equally lavish in his praise: “Tyrel epitomises what the Mako stands for. Not only with his unassailable grit on the field, which is one of our strong Mako values, but he is a true trailblazer for Tasman through to Super Rugby and the All Blacks.”
