There was a steely resolve in Lukhan Salakaia-Loto’s voice when asked about his Wallabies prospects as he prepared to launch his injury comeback for the Queensland Reds against the British and Irish Lions.
“I’m not there to prove anything,” the 41-Test forward declared. “I know where I belong.”
A shoulder concern ultimately cost Salakaia-Loto the backend of his Super Rugby Pacific campaign, forced to watch as the Reds succumbed to eventual champions, the Crusaders, in their Qualifying Final clash in Christchurch.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto believes he is ready to return to the Wallabies fold.Credit: Getty
His lack of game time, having not taken the field since early May, appeared to cost him a place in coach Joe Schmidt’s first Wallabies squad of the year to take on Fiji on Sunday.
But the 28-year-old confirmed he had been given clearance to be available for selection when Queensland contest the Lions in Brisbane on July 2, declaring he had “not a doubt at all” he would be fit to factor into Lions’ calculations.
“I know my body well enough to know if it’s good or bad, or if I can push through, and I just knew I needed a bit of time on the sidelines to get my shoulder right,” Salakaia-Loto, who was named in 11 Tests last year, said.
“Funnily enough, I just got the green light, so it was pretty huge to get through the session – a big one at that. I know what I’m capable of, and I’m looking forward to showcasing that.”
Salakaia-Loto will now rely on his form for the Reds, and past exploits for Australia, to force his way into the fold, after Will Skelton, Jeremy Williams, Tom Hooper and Darcy Swain – who led the Super Rugby season for lineout wins – were named as the lock contenders against Fiji.
While Swain, who has not appeared in the gold jumper since 2022, admitted there were times he thought his Test days were numbered, he sought feedback from Schmidt on how to regain his place – with particular focuses on his physicality at the breakdown, body height and leg drive.
“I’ve just had a lot of people in my corner over the last two years, and they’ve helped me stay motivated, genuinely,” said the Brisbane Boys College alumnus, who will remain in Perth for the Western Force’s clash with the Lions on Saturday.
Darcy Swain is back on the cusp of a Wallabies recall.Credit: Getty
“I always believed in myself that I’d get back here, and now it’s just trying to get back into the 23 and just keep working on myself.”
While fellow Reds Massimo De Lutiis (wrist) and Liam Wright (shoulder) remain unavailable, versatile forward Seru Uru joins Salakaia-Loto in nearing the opportunity to press his credentials for a Test return.
A knee problem curtailed his 2025 season; however, he lined up in the Hospital Cup on Saturday, with Salakaia-Loto confirming he would be available for Reds selection.
Uru’s unpredictability, having developed an offload and deft passing game, has been a point of difference in Queensland’s attack, and Salakai-Loto believed his ability to cover lock and back row should thrust him back into Wallabies’ calculations.
“Having that versatility definitely helps, you become an awesome bench option because you can cover various positions, and I think the skill set he can bring from the back row to the tight five is a real point of difference,” Salakaia-Loto said.
“Someone like Seru, if you put him in a gold jersey he’s going to thrive, so I’ll back him any day.”
