Zac Lomax can't help but chuckle at the serendipity of linking up with soon-to-be Parramatta teammate Mitch Moses during NSW's State of Origin tilt.
Lomax's request for a release from his junior club St George Illawarra was one of the big talking points to begin the NRL season, coming amid career-best form on his move to the wing.
In the weeks after signing with the Eels for 2025, Lomax earned his first NSW cap, having long been touted as a player with Origin potential.
After shining on debut in NSW's game-one loss, Lomax has been given a golden chance to test his chemistry with Parramatta's most important player Moses, who was called in to replace Nicho Hynes for Origin II.
The Parramatta faithful and club powerbrokers will watch on for an early preview of a right-edge combination with the potential to add spark to an Eels side currently languishing in 15th place.
"I guess it's a little bit ironic isn't it?" a smiling Lomax said to AAP.
It will be music to the Eels' ears that Moses and Lomax are getting on famously in camp, having never played together before.
"Mitchy's obviously a great fella," Lomax said. "I love chatting to him, he's just a good dude.
"He's a guy you want to be around. He's a competitor too, he wears his heart on his sleeve on the field.
"His kicking game's unbelievable, he's probably got the best kicking game in the comp. We (NSW) will obviously lean on that a lot."
Ben Hunt's kicks for the tall and athletic Lomax have been a regular source of points for the resurgent Dragons this season.
Blues captain Jake Trbojevic said Moses and Lomax would be keen to forge a similar combination ahead of the clash at the MCG, where NSW will fight to keep the series alive on June 26.
"(Moses) obviously brings a great kicking game, lots of experience, so that's really good," the prop said.
"Zac had a great game in the first game, I love the way he just competes on everything.
"With Mitch, one of his strengths is his kicking game and Zac's is in the air so that's obviously something they'll keep working on."
