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Brad Thorn's parting message to lock Salakaia-Loto ahead of Premiership move

Australia’s Lukhan Tui

Brad Thorn will miss the skills and soft touch of Lukhan Salakaia-Loto at the Queensland Reds but doesn’t begrudge his impending exit to the English Premiership.

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The versatile lock, who has played for Australia in the second and backrow, will link with Northampton next season after seven years at Ballymore.

The 25-year-old is one of the Reds’ most valuable men and biggest earners, but had slipped down the Wallabies pecking order ahead of the final year of his contract.

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Aotearoa Rugby Pod | Episode 2

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    Aotearoa Rugby Pod | Episode 2

    Unable to crack the Test squad again after leaving for the birth of his child ahead of the third Bledisloe Cup match last year, the lucrative European move was the obvious play.

    Thorn was understanding but dismayed as he attempts to build a side that can compete with the might of New Zealand’s world-leading domestic sides.

    “I’d like him to stay here, he’s been here seven seasons … a wonderful guy I coached in under-20s and I’ve known since he was 19,” he said.

    “But it’s an opportunity for him and his family and we wish him well when he goes.

    “He’s got some work to do here, but (any attempts to keep him in Australia are) in RA’s hands, really.

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    “It means a lot to him to wear the jersey; he’s worn it well for 64-odd games, he’s a big part of our team, got a big heart, very caring guy.”

    News of his departure comes ahead of Friday’s Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Waratahs.

    The Reds will be without co-captain Liam Wright (shoulder) and centre Hunter Paisami (knee), while Thorn said flying winger Suliasi Vunivalu’s return from repeated hamstring strains could come within a month.

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    Spew_81 1 hour ago
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    Agree for Savea to be successful at 7 he will have to remodel his game, again. But he has shown the ability to do that with his move from 7 to 8. Savea will have to focus more on the roles of a 7 e.g. tacking and cleaning out. The benefit will be that Savea can take advantage of running opportunities, in a similar way that Michael Jones used to. How Savea is used e.g. as a primary runner, or as a support runner will come down to the attack coach. But having a 7 who is a genuine running option will provide the All Blacks with another option. That option could be unutilized as a support runner. If put into the gap Savea will be very hard to stop.

     

    With Sititi at 8 (the best position to make use of his skills) the key will be who is chosen at 6, ideally someone with bulk and a hard work ethic. S Barrett could fulfil that role. I would choose Finau as he has proven ability to effect very heavy tackles. But it’s an open race at the moment.

     

    Agree, taking in account multiple factors in analysis makes the analysis a lot more difficult. There are so many more potential outcomes to take into account. Getting this done in time to meet publishing deadlines would be difficult. I guess it’s up to the readers to speculate on things like that.

     

    Papali’I is definitely in the conversation. He is a proven high volume tackler, at times he has shown a very useful running game. Also, at 1.93m/113kg he has the size to cover at 6 and to be used as a jumper in the lineout. With the Blues in a slump, how he performs in the next few games could be a good indicator, if he steps up he could regain a black jersey.

     

    Sotutu could be used at 6 or eight. If the trio contained Sotutu I’d put him at 6 as Sititi seems to be a more slightly more elusive runner that is slightly better at setting up others. Sotutu could fit into the trio at 6. A key work on for Sotutu is to lower his tackle height.

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