Wallabies forward Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has urged Rugby Australia to do whatever it takes to retain Taniela Tupou, even as another strongman emerges as a solid backup option in the front row.
Tupou headlines a cohort of Test stars coming off contract at the end of 2025 – Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Noah Lolesio, Len Ikitau and Tom Wright – and the new Waratahs recruit is expected to attract lucrative overseas offers.
But Salakaia-Loto – also off contract, and “definitely open to anything at this stage” – declared the 135kg prop should be at the centre of retention talks ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
Taniela Tupou headlines a long list of Wallabies coming off contract in 2025.Credit: Getty Images
“He sent me a picture of him yesterday in a Waratahs jersey. I got into him a little bit, and told him it doesn’t look right,” Salakaia-Loto quipped of his former Reds teammate.
“But I’m happy for him to still be in Australia continuing his rugby career, it’s massive for not only the Wallabies but also Super Rugby.
“He’s someone we should be working hard to keep in the game and keep here in Australia.”
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt appears determined to have other tighthead props ready should Tupou leave, with Reds rookie Massimo De Lutiis among the first in line.
The 20-year-old, the strongest Queensland footballer across all codes with a 202.5kg bench press, is yet to make his Super Rugby debut after an injury-riddled 2024, but has already been ushered into the Wallabies camp after impressing for his club against Tonga and Saitama Wild Knights.
Ahead of the Reds tour of England, Salakaia-Loto suggested the style of rugby they would face would serve De Lutiis well.
Massimo De Lutiis is set to make his Super Rugby debut in 2025.
“He’s definitely young and raw, and I think especially [with] tighthead props you have to give them time to grow – we’re seeing that with guys like Nella [Tupou],” Salakaia-Loto said.
“They’re different players in their own rights, but [have] a lot of similarities in the gym. I think if he can harness that strength and use it technically in the right way, he’s got all the tools to be a weapon in the scrum.
“It’s a very forward-dominated game over there [in England]. Guys like Mass [De Lutiis] are going to benefit from it.”
McReight, the most consistent Wallabies player last year, provided some insight into how De Lutiis performed in camp.
“For the few days we had in Wallaby camp he went pretty hard, trucked it up and hit pretty hard and probably got in a few little scuffles there,” McReight said.
“Mass is a big personality, he doesn’t take a backwards step. In today’s age, you have people who want to bring you down or want to shape someone in a certain way, but I think being yourself is the ultimate way to play your best and train your best.
“When you’re yourself and your teammates respect you and let you be and prepare how you want to, you just flourish, so I think he’s going to be an important part to our success this year.”
