Lukhan Salakaia-Loto decides Wallabies future as Joe Schmidt fallout continues

Wallaby star Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has turned down a lucrative move to France to give Australian Rugby a much-needed boost by signing a new contract with Queensland and Rugby Australia.

The Wallabies are still reeling from head coach Joe Schmidt announcing that he will be standing down from his job later this year, and many of their biggest names who are out of contract are weighing up their future.

Lock Salakaia-Loto – who can also play in the back row – made 24 appearances for Northampton Saints in 2022-2023 before returning home to join the Melbourne Rebels.

ISLAND WARRIORS | The Famous Grouse Presents: The Spirit of Rugby

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ISLAND WARRIORS | The Famous Grouse Presents: The Spirit of Rugby

Off the North West of Scotland on the Isle of Lewis, you will find one of the UK’s most remote rugby teams: Stornoway RFC.
They show true dedication and passion for the game, overcoming unique challenges to compete.

The 28-year-old has now had offers from Racing 92, Clermont Auvergne and Bordeaux, but he has decided that instead of moving to the Top 14, he will sign a three-year deal with the Reds and Rugby Australia to take him through to 2028 in what is clearly a massive coup.

Salakaia-Loto, who was born in Auckland before moving to Sydney with his mother as a child, signed a one-year deal with the Reds when the Rebels went out of business but is set to ensure he remains in the running for the 2027 World Cup.

When the Rebels went into liquidation, he considered moving abroad but instead returned to Queensland, where he spent six years before moving to Northampton.

And it’s no surprise that Salakaia-Loto, who has won 41 test caps, has decided to turn his back on a move to France even though it would have boosted his bank account, after admitting last month how much he loves Brisbane.

“At the end of the day, Brisbane is home, but there are options across the board. I’ve got a lot of love for the Reds, and it’s unreal to be back.

“It was something that I needed, but didn’t realise at the time. I did a lot of growing up, going overseas and then in Melbourne.

“With two kids now, I’ve got a family of my own, and there’s a lot of lessons you learn when you leave the nest, and that’s what it was for me.

“It’s like when you leave home and you don’t realise what your parents were telling you; it makes sense when reality hits you. It’s crazy to think that a couple of years later, I’m back here,” he said.