Wallabies call up enforcer to counter Pumas’ revenge raid in Sydney

4 days ago 7

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has been recalled to the Wallabies side to face Argentina at a sold-out Allianz Stadium on Saturday as the next man up to help fill Will Skelton’s size 19 boots.

The Reds second-rower last played for the Wallabies last November against Ireland in Dublin, but impressed coach Joe Schmidt with outstanding performances against the British and Irish Lions for the AUNZ Invitational XV and the First Nations and Pasifika XV, and has been named on the bench in Sydney.

Salakaia-Loto gets his opportunity with Nick Frost rested after starting 21 consecutive games for the Brumbies and the Wallabies this season, allowing Jeremy Williams to move into the starting line-up.

In July, First Nations and Pasifika XV teammate Rob Leota highlighted Salakaia-Loto’s credentials.

“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,” Leota said.

Salakaia-Loto can also play in the back row, giving the Wallabies flexibility against a motivated Pumas squad who have been talking of la revancha, or revenge, this week after suffering a last-gasp defeat in Townsville last weekend.

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will get his chance for the Wallabies after outstanding performances against the Lions

Tane Edmed wins a debut start at five-eighth in his home town after previously struggling to get game time for the Waratahs in Super Rugby. Edmed will link up with Reds inside centre Hunter Paisami, who last played for the Wallabies against Georgia in Sydney last July.

Len Ikitau is rested after starting every Test for the Wallabies this season and averaging 73 minutes, allowing Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to work with a new partner in the centres.

Veteran James Slipper is recalled to the side and will take the place of Tom Robertson, with Angus Bell again named on the bench after scoring the match-winning try last Saturday.

Tighthead Taniela Tupou will start his fifth consecutive Test after expressing disappointment on Tuesday for conceding two early penalties for no-arms tackles against Argentina in Townsville.

“Obviously, it wasn’t the start we were looking for, gave away those two penalties and gave the Argies six points,” Tupou said. “I was quite nervous there because we got lucky at the end; otherwise Joe would have told me to go home, maybe.”

Halfback Nic White is likely to play his final Test for the Wallabies after a memorable encore having announced his retirement after the Lions series, with Waratahs captain Jake Gordon likely to return to the No.9 jersey for the Bledisloe Cup clash at Eden Park on 27 September.

James O’Connor will provide backline cover on the bench alongside Filipo Daugunu. It is unclear whether O’Connor will stay with the Wallabies squad after Saturday’s Test or move to his new club Leicester as originally planned.

Reds hooker Josh Nasser will win his seventh cap for the Wallabies after being named ahead of the Force’s Brandon Paenga-Amosa.

Pumas coach Felipe Contepomi made several changes to his starting side, the most notable being vice-captain and star flanker Pablo Matera being named on the bench to help counter the Wallabies’ second half strength.

Saturday’s Test against Argentina will be the last sporting event to take place at Allianz Stadium before 10 weeks of work to fix significant drainage issues on the field.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, readings taken at 11am on Thursday, 131mm of rain has already fallen at Sydney’s Observatory Hill this week. Sydney is forecast to be dry on Friday and Saturday ahead of the Test.

British and Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell accused the Waratahs of watering the field in July after the tour match took place on a heavily waterlogged surface.

Venues NSW has subsequently conducted an investigation that found a drainage layer installed at construction at the stadium contains too much clay and silt, meaning the ground cannot drain adequately.

More to come

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