Lomax’s false start only adds anticipation <\/a><\/p>\nFans will have to wait for Zac Lomax’s Western Force debut, providing further intrigue about how the ex-NRL star will cope when he takes his first steps in professional rugby.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But he was pulled into Wallabies camp for their end-of-season tour and then deployed just once, against Japan.<\/p>\n
“Talking to some people, the feedback I got was that I wasn’t really sure how I’d match up against the Scottish and South African centres, if I was to go up against them,” he said.<\/p>\n
“So I thought, ‘Why not go and test myself in that (URC) competition and prove to myself and others that I might be a little bit smaller but can put up a hell of a fight?'”<\/p>\n
Flook, whose strengths are timing, angles and smooth skills, said being challenged about his lack of size was nothing new.<\/p>\n
“I’ve been told that all my life; it’s a driver for me,” he said.<\/p>\n
He said it was the “toughest decision of his life” to leave Super Rugby Pacific, from which a large majority of the Wallabies squad for next year’s home World Cup will be selected.<\/p>\n
But he thinks exposure to the Irish, Italian, Welsh, Scottish and South African URC teams could ironically aid his Test chances.<\/p>\n
“I mulled on it for weeks and weeks, probably pissed a few people off,” he said.<\/p>\n
“But I’m only 24 \u2026 whether I get a gold jersey or not, as long as I’m improving and bettering myself as a player and person.”<\/p>\n
Flook returned from injury in Saturday’s disappointing 42-19 loss to the Western Force.<\/p>\n
That followed a lacklustre loss to the Hurricanes in Wellington that has dropped the Reds \u2014 who could have sat third with a win in Brisbane \u2014 to sixth.<\/p>\n
Queensland (4-3) host the Crusaders (fifth, 4-3) on Saturday before a bye is followed by Super Round’s Christchurch clash with the Blues (second, 5-2) and home games against the Brumbies (fourth, 4-3) and Chiefs (third, 5-2).<\/p>\n
There is an extra layer of scrutiny on the Reds’ results, with coach Les Kiss set to take over as Wallabies coach following the Super Rugby Pacific season.<\/p>\n
But Flook said their mid-season stumble was not a reflection of his coaching.<\/p>\n
“There were lots of individual looks in the mirror and then we’ve looked as a group at what can we do better and what little bits of our game are we missing,” he said.<\/p>\n
“It’s definitely unfair to put Les in the spotlight like that.<\/p>\n
“The last two weeks has shown, if we make mistakes there are good sides able to capitalise, but if we hold the ball we can play really well.”<\/p>\n
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