Wallabies star Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has launched an emphatic defence of embattled Test teammate and close friend Taniela Tupou – issuing a stern message to selectors ahead of the British and Irish Lions series.
“Look, if there’s any chance we have of winning a Lions series and home World Cup, he has to be involved,” the Queensland Reds lock declared.
Tupou’s form has been heavily scrutinised in the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific campaign, unable to recapture the brand that made him one of the globe’s most ferocious props.
Taniela Tupou’s place in the Wallabies squad is under threat.Credit: Getty Images
Confidence is now seemingly at an all-time low for the 28-year-old, who landed on the public radar in childhood when footage of “Tongan Thor” went viral.
So much so, he admits that he’s accepted he will not be picked for the Lions series, declaring: “I’m no chance of making that team, because of how I am performing.”
Tupou was relegated to the Waratahs bench in his side’s 28-21 defeat against his former Queensland teammates on Friday, coming on in the 50th minute and scoring a try two minutes later.
However, the Brisbane Brothers product was kept quiet – managing just one running metre and four tackles, with two misses, while conceding two penalties.
Tupou is yet to secure his future beyond the end of his 2025 contract, which poses another possible roadblock to his inclusion in the lucrative series, given coach Joe Schmidt’s confirmation that he would prefer players who were committed to Australian rugby until the 2027 World Cup.
But Salakaia-Loto called on Schmidt and his team to show faith in the under-siege star, insisting he was “a firm believer in picking the best” for a series of such magnitude.
“It goes without saying the quality of player he is, he’s shown that both at Super and Test level. I think as players, we go through times when our form dips – we’re in and out of form – and he’s only human and no exception,” Salakaia-Loto said.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto is adamant that if the Wallabies are to defeat the Lions, they need Taniela Tupou.Credit: Getty Images
“I’m really close with him, we stay in touch pretty much daily, so he’s got my full support, and I know for the Wallabies to do well against the Lions and get a result, we’ve got to include him.
“Get behind him and support him, because we know when he’s at his best, there’s not many people who come close.”
Salakaia-Loto’s endorsement of Tupou was supported by fellow Wallabies’ sensation Fraser McReight, although he alluded to the competition he would face in Reds teammate Zane Nonggorr, rookie Massimo De Lutiis, Brumbies skipper Allan Alaalatoa, and Australia veteran Tom Robertson.
“Lukhan’s pretty spot on – he [Tupou] brings so much to an environment, especially the way he can play at Test level. It’s pretty one-of-a-kind what he can bring,” McReight said.
“Form comes and goes, and I expect him coming into this final four or five weeks of the competition – plus finals – to really be hitting his straps.
“There are a lot of really good tightheads around – we have a few in the team for the Reds – so there’s competition, there’s pressure on spots. But Nella [Tupou] has a lot of experience at the top level, and I’m sure he’ll do really well.”
While Schmidt faces a tough selection call regarding Tupou, his hooker stocks have received a timely boost.
Josh Nasser made his comeback from a shoulder injury in the Reds’ triumph of the Waratahs on Friday, scoring a try off the bench, while Richie Asiata – who also scored for Queensland – has emerged as a shock Wallabies bolter.
And Reds coach Les Kiss confirmed Test staple Matt Faessler was also nearing fitness in time to take on the Lions as he battles a hamstring setback.
Kiss, who will take over the Wallabies job from Schmidt in mid-2026, said while Faessler would be an outside chance of featuring in the Reds’ finals campaign, the club was working to ensure he would be available for Wallabies selection.
“It won’t be in our season, but we’re doing everything possible to ensure there’s a good line to that recovery. Every week matters,” Kiss said.
“He won’t make our season proper, possibly not our finals, but he’ll be getting close to that.”
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