Lukhan Salakaia-Loto isn’t taking 2027 Rugby World Cup selection for granted despite new Wallabies coach Les Kiss wasting no time in recalling the previously spurned lock to Australia’s squad.
Salakaia-Loto, 29, seemingly wasn’t a favourite of previous national coach Joe Schmidt, whose tenure ended earlier this month.
The Reds forward wasn’t chosen for Australia’s recent Nations Championship Tests against Ireland, France and Italy despite being selected in the Super Rugby Pacific team of year.
Schmidt also controversially overlooked Salakaia-Loto for the Wallabies’ series last year against the British and Irish Lions.
And while Schmidt did pick him for last November’s tour of Europe, Salakaia-Loto was rarely used.
Former Reds coach Kiss has greater faith in Salakaia-Loto, having named him in Australia’s 34-man squad for next month’s two Tests against Japan.
“I’m just here to try to add as much as I can, and what I know I can add,” the 45-Test strongman said on Wednesday.
“Any opportunity that you’re given to be a part of this squad is special, so to be back involved in the environment, to be back with the lads, and to help continue build to what’s ahead is something that I’m grateful for.”
Salakaia-Loto said while it was “disappointing” to not be selected for the Wallabies’ recent Tests, the “silver lining” was being able to spend time at home with his family following the birth of his third daughter.
“There are more things to life than just being selected for a team. I was happy to be home with my kids,” he said.
Salakaia-Loto also said he was at “peace” with not being selected because he had done all he could during Queensland’s Super Rugby Pacific campaign.
“You don’t always get what you deserve,” he said.
“You can’t dwell on it too much. It is what it is. If I was to still stress over things that there are no point stressing over, then it would affect what I do off the field or away from it, so it’s nice to be named but it doesn’t guarantee you anything – it doesn’t really mean anything.”
He is therefore not yet thinking about World Cup selection.
“I’ll just continue to be myself every day, and put my best foot forward,” he said.
“I’m not looking too far ahead. I’ve been in and out, so you can’t be counting your chickens too early.
“I’ll just take it day by day, see what happens, enjoy the ride and add as much value as I can, and if things come from that, then all good. If not, then it is what it is.
“I know what I bring to a side, and I know what value I can offer when I’m at my best, so I guess it’s just trying to bring that here, add to the group, and try to pick up where I left off.”
Originally published as Lukhan Salakaia-Loto vows to ‘add value’ after earning Wallabies recall