Reds enforcer Lukhan Salakaia-Loto returns, but star centre Len Ikitau is out through injury
New Wallabies coach Les Kiss has recalled Reds enforcer Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and kept his faith in Harry Wilson as captain in Australia’s starting squad for the upcoming Test matches against Japan.
Although he was appointed as the Wallabies’ new coach in April last year, Kiss officially took over this week following the completion of Queensland’s Super Rugby season and Joe Schmidt’s completion of the Nations Championship Tests in July.
Kiss was consulted on the Wallabies squad for these matches and did not deviate too much from the same list when determining his initial squad of 34 players to play against Eddie Jones’ Japan in Osaka on 8 August and in Townsville on 15 August.
However, Kiss suffered a major blow in their first game, having to leave out star center Len Ikitau, who suffered a minor ankle injury. He will be replaced by either Hunter Paisami, who returns from a knee injury, or Reds center Isaac Henry, the only new uncapped player on the roster.
Henry, 27, is a powerful center who has played 21 Super Rugby matches for the Reds after making his debut in 2021.
Salakaia-Loto also earned a recall after controversially missing out on selection in the Wallabies squad for the July Test series.
Salakaia-Loto could play in the back row with Kiss leaving out Force’s Nick Champion De Crespigny. Josh Flook and Corey Toole also missed out as they were part of the July roster.
Waratah prop Isaac Kailea was named in his first Australian squad in two years after James Slipper returned to Canberra from retirement in July following an SOS call.
Carter Gordon returned to the squad after missing two Tests with a calf injury, but Tom Hooper remained on the injured list with a shoulder complaint.
Amid speculation that Kiss could make a change in the captaincy, potentially Reds skipper Fraser McReight, Kiss has maintained his faith in Wilson.
“Selection is always a challenging process, but as coaches we have tried to build a group based on form, cohesion and how we want to play the game,” Kiss said in a statement.
“Spending time with the group over the last few weeks, alongside Scott McLeod and Jonny Fisher, has been incredibly valuable as we try to move forward quickly.
“It’s encouraging to see how tight they are as a group, how hard they work for each other and for the gold jersey. Everyone now needs to roll up their sleeves and find a new level of consistency.”
Kiss will speak to the media in Sydney on Thursday morning.
More to come
Iain Payten is senior sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect with: X or email.
