The Hurricanes' front-row stocks have been given a huge boost, with confirmation that Highlanders prop Tyrel Lomax will return home to join them on a four-year deal from 2020.
Lomax grew up playing rugby league in Wainuiomata, before heading across the Tasman, making the switch to rugby in Canberra, where he went on to become a Brumbies development player and Australia U20 representative.
He moved back to New Zealand to link up with the Tasman Makos in 2017 and was soon snapped up by the Highlanders, before earning his lone international cap on the All Blacks 2018 European tour.
With his partner accepting a new job in the capital, the 23-year-old saw the timing was right to follow suit and join his boyhood side.
"The biggest reason was to be closer to family," Lomax told Stuff. "I'm from Wainui and I've still got a lot of family there.
"Hopefully, my parents will move back in the next few years from Australia. Another reason was to give my partner a chance to start her own career.
"I grew up watching the Hurricanes, so that was another pull as well."
Lomax has been in outstanding from for the Highlanders this season and seems to destined to earn an international recall. As you'd expect, the Hurricanes are excited to welcome him aboard.
"It's great," assistant coach Jason Holland said. "He's a good Wellington boy coming back to Wainui.
"We're pumped to have him in our environment… looking forward to what he'll add."
Lomax will become part of a sizeable Highlanders exodus at the end of this season, including Elliot Dixon, Tom Franklin, Richard Buckman, Liam Squire, Luke Whitelock, Jackson Hemopo, Waisake Naholo, Ben Smith, Marty Banks and Matt Faddes.
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