Cape Town - There could be a tug of war for Melbourne Rebels prop Tyrel Lomax after he was reportedly contacted by the All Blacks to switch his allegiances from Australia to New Zealand.
The 20-year-old made his Super Rugby debut this season but the Daily Telegraph has reported that the All Blacks want Lomax to come and play in New Zealand with a view to becoming an All Black.
Lomax, son of former Kiwis prop John Lomax, was the Australian Under-20s player of the year in 2016, but is still eligible for Australia and New Zealand.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has already taken a shine to Lomax and called him up to their 48-man squad that assembled in Canberra earlier this month.
Lomax, who stands at 192cm and weighs almost 127kg, made his first start for the Rebels against the Sharks last weekend.
He fronted up well and impressed as the Rebels drew 9-9 in Durban.
His father John won 15 Kiwis caps between 1993 and 1998 and played for Canberra Raiders, North Queensland Cowboys and Melbourne Storm.
Tyrel grew up playing league in Wellington but switched to rugby when he moved to Australia.