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Tyrel Lomax signs New Zealand deal through 2029 with Lions tour in his sights

Hurricanes and All Blacks tighthead Tyrel Lomax has committed to New Zealand Rugby until the end of 2029, becoming the sixth All Black to sign such an extension. The 48-Test prop is targeting the Rugby World Cup and the British & Irish Lions tour as key motivators.

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Tyrel Lomax signs New Zealand deal through 2029 with Lions tour in his sights
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Tyrel Lomax has extended his contract with New Zealand Rugby, the Hurricanes and Tasman through to the end of 2029, making the 30-year-old tighthead the sixth All Black to commit long-term ahead of a Rugby World Cup and a British & Irish Lions tour on home soil.

The 48-Test prop, who stands 194 cm and weighs 129 kg, cited both marquee events as central to his decision. “We’ve got a Rugby World Cup coming up and a British & Irish Lions tour in 2029,” Lomax said. “Those are opportunities every rugby player wants to be part of, and having the chance to keep building towards those campaigns and wear the black jersey was a huge factor in my decision.”

Lomax joined the Hurricanes in 2020 after stints with the Rebels and Highlanders, and his All Blacks career accelerated markedly once he settled in Wellington. Health permitting, he is on course to reach 50 Test caps for New Zealand this July. The past 12 months, however, have been disrupted by calf, thumb and ankle injuries that limited him to just two brief Super Rugby Pacific appearances this season and four of the All Blacks’ 13 matches in 2025.

All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie welcomed the commitment and expressed confidence that Lomax’s peak rugby is still to come. “Having coached against him, what stands out is how athletic and physically imposing he is on both sides of the ball,” Rennie said. “It was great to see him back from injury last week. We believe his best footy is still ahead of him.”

Lomax is now back available for the Hurricanes at the business end of what has been a strong Super Rugby Pacific campaign, and is expected to feature for the All Blacks in the inaugural Nations Championship. An eight-time Maori All Black with 116 Super Rugby appearances, he is regarded as a key figure both on and off the field at the Hurricanes.

“He’s a world-class tighthead, and we expect him to be an integral leader in this team,” said a Hurricanes spokesperson. “He’s had a tricky year with injuries, but we’re pleased to have welcomed him back.”

Although Lomax has not represented Tasman since 2020, Mako head coach Jono Phillips also expressed delight at retaining his involvement with the provincial side as part of the extended arrangement.

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