Super Red a lock in new coach’s Test squad statement
Murray Wenzel and Darren Walton |
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has earned an immediate Wallabies recall in Les Kiss’s first big statement as newly-installed coach.
The crash-and-bash lock was named in the Super Rugby Pacific team of the year after providing supreme service for Kiss at the Queensland Reds this season.
But he has been an eye-catching exclusion from departed coach Joe Schmidt’s squads, both for last year’s British and Irish Lions tour and the recent three-Test Nations Championship games.
He played for the Barbarians in the United Kingdom and in Brisbane club rugby this last month, and has now been thrust back into the fray for Tests against Eddie Jones’ Japan in Osaka and Townsville next month.
There will be plenty of competition for spots though, with starting second-rowers Jeremy Williams and Josh Canham impressing at set piece and general play in the three Tests this year.
Emerging locks Miles Amatosero and Lachlan Shaw both debuted off the bench in the last two Tests and have been retained in the squad.
Salakaia-Loto’s return shows that Kiss, while sharing similar philosophies to the man he coached alongside in Ireland a decade ago, will bring differences to the role.
Harry Wilson has retained the captaincy, while French-based prop Taniela Tupou will also remain with the side.
The former Queensland and Australian rugby league winger will conduct his first press conference on Thursday since starting the job on Monday.
There will be no grace period for the experienced tactician, with the World Cup on home soil from next October.
Reds centre Isaac Henry has earned his first Wallabies squad call-up and ACT Brumbies flanker Charlie Cale is back in the mix with star No.12 Len Ikitau (ankle) and Tom Hooper (shoulder) injured.
Flyhalf Carter Gordon has overcome the leg issue that kept him out of the last two Tests, and will compete with Declan Meredith and Ben Donaldson for the No.10 jersey.
NSW Waratahs prop Isaac Kailea has been added with James Slipper dropping out of the squad, while Reds trio Hunter Paisami and Josh Nasser will also travel.
“Selection is always a challenging process, but as coaches we’ve looked to bring together a group based on form, cohesion and how we want to play the game,” Kiss said.
“Spending time with the group over the last few weeks alongside Scott McLeod and Jonny Fisher has been incredibly valuable as we look to hit the ground running.
“It’s been encouraging to see how tight they are as a group and how hard they work for each other and the gold jersey.
“The challenge now is for everyone to roll up their sleeves and find a new level of consistency.”
WALLABIES SQUAD: Allan Alaalatoa, Miles Amatosero, Angus Bell,
Charlie Cale, Josh Canham, Isaac Kailea, Fraser McReight, Josh Nasser, Zane Nonggorr, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Billy Pollard, Aidan Ross, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Lachlan Shaw, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson (capt), Jock Campbell, Filipo Daugunu, Ben Donaldson, Carter Gordon, Isaac Henry, Max Jorgensen, Ryan Lonergan, Tate McDermott, Declan Meredith, Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch, Harry Potter, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Kalani Thomas, Tom Wright.