British and Irish Lions tour: Wallabies urged to call on Lukhan Salakaia-Loto

The Wallabies have been urged to select a player who will “die for the jersey” as they try to salvage their Test series against the British and Irish Lions in Melbourne.

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto would “die” for the Wallabies jersey if given a chance to face the British & Irish Lions, teammates claim after the lock yet again dominated the tourists and made a bold claim for selection.

The omission of Salakaia-Loto from the Wallabies squad to face the Lions raised eyebrows a few weeks ago, and after the past two performances he’s put in against the red rivals, those eyebrows are now close to the hairline.

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto in the air for the First Nations & Pasifika side.

The big lock has physically dominated the Lions, which the Wallabies failed to do last week in their 27-19 Test defeat, leaving many to wonder why he isn’t immediately recalled into the fold as Australia look to salvage the series in Melbourne.

Salakaia-Loto’s First Nations and Pasikifa teammate Rob Leota said after the team’s narrow 24-19 loss to the Lions in Melbourne on Tuesday that the 41-Test enforcer deserves a recall to Joe Schmidt’s squad.

“Anyone who knows Khan as a person knows that he is very proud, very humble but, man, he will play for the brother next to him and die for the jersey, I know that for sure,” Loeta said.

“I love the bloke and was just happy to be playing alongside him tonight.”

Rob Leota celebrates his try against the British and Irish Lions.

Leota revealed Salakaia-Loto was the emotional force behind the FNP team’s incredible performance – the closest the Lions have looked to defeat all tour in Australia.

“He’s a big part of why our team was firing today, he took the messages before our game and just got everyone hyped up,” Leota said of Salakaia-Loto.

“We just played off his emotion and when you see leaders like that put their best foot forward, as soon as the whistle blows you just want to put your best foot forward.

“I’m so proud of Khan and he’s got to be back in there. He just brings that physicality as a lock and, even Darcy (Swain) as well, those two just led with their actions today and going forward, for sure [they need to get back].”

FNP coach Toutai Kefu didn’t hesitate when asked if the Wallabies should recall Salakaia-Loto, who also impressed against the Lions playing for the AUNZ team in Adelaide.

“Lukhan’s been outstanding all throughout the whole week, around that mindset, he drove that for us the whole week, and his performance was, I thought, outstanding again,” Kefu said.

“Lukhan’s thrown his hand up, I thought the last two games he’s played have been pretty good, definitely I would look at investing in him and bringing him into the squad.”

Salakaia-Loto is clearly frustrated at his predicament, but has been careful not to delve too deeply into his chances of a Wallabies recall.

“I’m just proud to represent my family, everyone together, we wouldn’t be here, we’re standing on the shoulders of giants, in terms of our ancestors and our families that have managed to get us here today,” he said after the FNP match.

“So we shouldn’t even be here.

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto competes for the ball against the Lions.

“And we went down by five points, so I’m just proud of this group, and I’m proud of all the work that’s been achieved.

“It was an emotional week for myself, the opportunity to get in touch with my culture, delve deep into it, and also understanding who I was representing, the people that have gone before me, the people here today, in terms of my family, myself, my kids, my partner, my parents, siblings, and the team that used to come.

“I was always going to be heavy on the emotion.

“It was a very personal game for myself, as it was for everyone else, so you can look at it whatever way you want to.

“I got a taste of (the Lions) against the Reds, what they’re about means nothing to me.

“You mix that with a bit of frustration, a bit of emotion, and I guess the passion that I’ve been playing with especially for this week, you saw the way we played today, it was all about us.”