Lukhan Salakaia-Loto

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has embraced his second chance in the Wallabies jersey.

After beginning his senior rugby journey plying his trade for Randwick in the Shute Shield, Salakaia-Loto (né Tui) was selected for Australia in the 2015 and 2016 U20 World Cups.

Just one year later, the athletic lock won selection for Australia, making his Test debut against South Africa in 2017, before becoming a key contributor during the Wallabies’ 2019 World Cup campaign, playing all five matches, including the quarter-final.

After enjoying a stellar Super Rugby career spanning seven years and 69 matches, Salakaia-Loto's Test career was put on hold as he headed overseas in 2022, signing with Northampton in the English Premiership, where he made 24 appearances. 

He returned to Australian Rugby with the Melbourne Rebels in 2024, starring in their maiden finals campaign to earn a Test recall against Wales.

Salakaia-Loto would make a mighty impression during the Lions Tour of Australia in 2025, playing for three different outfits during the six-week campaign and even co-captaining the AUNZ Invitational XV in Adelaide. This earned him a spot back in the Wallabies squad for The Rugby Championship matches against Argentina and New Zealand.

He'd miss selection for the 2026 Nations Championship, returning to face Japan in the Flight Centre Series.