The Wallabies have received a major boost with the news that utility forward Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has signed a contract extension with Rugby Australia (RA) and the Reds.
The 28-year-old’s new deal means he will be available for selection for the Wallabies’ highly anticipated series with the British & Irish Lions in Australia later this year and he will remain at the Brisbane-based club for a further three years beyond the current season.
Just like the recent contract extension of his Reds and Wallabies team-mate Harry Wilson, Salakaia-Loto‘s new deal includes the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia and he has signed the contract extension after rejecting lucrative offers from Top 14 clubs Racing 92, Clermont Auvergne and Bordeaux-Begles.
After making his debut for the Reds as a 19-year-old in 2016, Salakaia-Loto, who is primarily a lock but also capable of playing on the blindside flank, made his Test bow for the Wallabies against the Springboks the following year.
He initially spent seven seasons playing for the Reds before representing Premiership outfit Northampton Saints (2022/23) and the Melbourne Rebels (2024).
A vital cog in Wallabies machine
Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt recalled Salakaia-Loto when he returned to Australia last year and he was in action in 11 of his country’s 13 Tests in 2024.
After representing the Wallabies in 41 Tests and making 71 appearances for the Reds and eight for the Rebels, Salakai-Loto is one of Australia’s most experienced forwards and he is delighted to have his future locked in.
“Securing my future is massively important for me and my family and it’s pretty cool that I get to continue my career here at the Reds,” Salakaia-Loto said.
“I’m looking forward to giving back to the club that’s invested a lot in myself and my family.
“I feel like I’m only just getting started in the second chapter of my career and that my best rugby is ahead of me and hopefully I can put my best foot forward in a Reds jersey and a Wallabies jersey is something that I can continue to earn.
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“The goal at the beginning of last year was to put the Wallabies jersey on again and it’s the goal again this year but I know that only comes from my performances for the Reds.
‘ That’s important for me to produce some good rugby’
“To be at home for the next couple of years with my family settled here I think that’s important for me to be able to produce some good rugby.”
Salakai-Loto was a valuable member of the Wallabies squad during their 2019 Rugby World Cup campaign in Japan and represented his country in all five their matches at the global showpiece.
Rugby Australia director of high-performance Peter Horne is happy that Salakai-Loto has agreed terms on a new contract.
“Lukhan is an experienced Test player whose re-signing shows his long-term commitment to the Queensland Reds and Australian Rugby,” he said.
“We’re looking forward to continuing to see him work hard and perform well for the Reds during the Super Rugby Pacific season.”
Meanwhile, Reds head coach Les Kiss expressed his delight that Salakaia-Loto is staying on in Queensland.
“We have welcomed Lukhan and his young family to Brisbane,” Kiss said.
“He joined the Reds on the pre-season tour of the United Kingdom where the benefits of his experience were felt within our squad.
“We look forward to all he can contribute to the Reds on the field and in the locker room.”
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/wallabies-star-makes-bold-claim-after-rejecting-lucrative-deals-from-three-french-giants-as-second-chapter-begins
