Overlooked lock given another chance to push Test case
Melissa Woods |
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will have another chance to push his case for Wallabies selection, with the lock included in the First Nations and Pasifika squad to face the touring Lions in Melbourne.
After turning out in the AUNZ invitational side last Saturday, the Queensland lock said he was waiting by the phone if required by Test coach Joe Schmidt.
Coach Toutai Kefu included four players from that disappointing 48-0 loss in Adelaide, with Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Pete Samu and Kalani Thomas also backing up.
Dumped Wallabies lock Darcy Swain, who is of Samoan heritage, will also get another chance after being left out of the squad for the first Test this Saturday in Brisbane.
Fijian Drua forwards Mesake Doge and Mesake Vocevoce have been called into the squad as the first current Fijian internationals to face the Lions since the famous 1977 win.
Former Australia Under-20 props Lington Ieli and Marley Pearce will get another shot at the tourists, while Brumbies No.8 Tuaina Taii Tualima joined previously named back-rowers Rob Leota, Seru Uru and Charlie Gamble.
Halfbacks Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa and Harrison Goddard have been included, with Kurtley Beale and Jack Debreczeni set to share the flyhalf duties
Star centres Lalakai Foketi and David Feliuai are among the backs named, alongside Brumbies flyer Andy Muirhead.
In total, the group is made up of 20 players of Pasifika heritage and seven of First Nations heritage.
“There is a nice blend of youth and experience within the group, with countries and territories represented across the Pacific and Indigenous Australia,” Kefu said.
“The players are aware at how big an opportunity this is to perform for their communities and grow the game of rugby.
“We have seen how strong the Lions are in recent weeks. The coaching staff and all the players will be working as hard as possible to prepare for this match and try to pull off something special in Melbourne.”
Meanwhile, the Lions have added Scotland’s Rory Sutherland, Ewan Ashman and Darcy Graham as injury cover for Tuesday night’s match at Marvel Stadium.
The three have been pulled from Scotland’s squad in New Zealand ahead of their Test against Samoa in Auckland.
Winger Graham arrived Monday after he drew two yellow cards and left Scotland a man down for the last part of their 29-14 loss to Fiji in Suva.
Glasgow Warriors loosehead prop Sutherland, who played in two Tests on the previous Lions tour in South Africa, will join the camp in Melbourne later in the week along with Edinburgh hooker Ewan Ashman.
FIRST NATIONS AND PASIFIKA XV SQUAD:
Forwards: George Blake (Cook Islands), Mesake Doge (Fiji), Feao Fotuaika (Tonga), Lington Ieli (Fiji), Marley Pearce (Maori and First Nations), Richie Asiata (Samoa), Brandon Paenga-Amosa (Samoa and Maori), Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Samoa), Darcy Swain (Samoa), Mesake Vocevoce (Fiji), Seru Uru (Fiji), Charlie Gamble (Tonga), Rob Leota (Samoa), Pete Samu (Samoa), Tuaina Taii Tualima (Samoa)
Backs: Issak Fines-Leleiwasa (Fiji), Harrison Goddard (First Nations), Kalani Thomas (Maori), Kurtley Beale (First Nations), Jack Debreczeni (Cook Islands), David Feliuai (Samoa), Lalakai Foketi (Tongan and Maori), Isaac Henry (First Nations), Jarrah McLeod (First Nations), Andy Muirhead (First Nations), Kye Oates (First Nations), Triston Reilly (First Nations)
AAP
