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'I'm really excited': Rebels sign Wallabies lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
By AAP
The Melbourne Rebels have officially confirmed Wallabies lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has signed with the Super Rugby Pacific club until the end of 2025.
Salakaia-Loto has been playing with Northampton in the UK but makes himself available for Test selection ahead of the World Cup by linking with the Rebels.
He will join with another Queensland player, Wallabies prop Taniel Tupou, who will shift from the Reds to Melbourne next season, while former Reds hooker Alex Mafi made the move this year.
The arrival of Salakaia-Loto, who has played 30 Tests, will help offset the loss of Matt Philip and Trevor Hosea, who are heading overseas.
The 26-year-old was part of the the Wallabies' 2019 World Cup campaign, playing all five matches, including the quarter-final but coach Eddie Jones hasn't revealed if he's in his plans for this year's tournament in France.
"Having the opportunity to add what's been brewing down in Melbourne was really exciting," Salakaia-Loto said in a statement on Thursday.
"I'm looking forward to reuniting with Maf (Alex Mafi) and Nela (Taniela Tupou), who are basically my brothers.
"The opportunity to reconnect and play together for the same team once again is something I'm really excited for."
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Latest Comments
This France team is as good as they were when they went into the World Cup as favorites. Have gone through a rebuild of confidence and rediscovered that form.
Neither England nor Ireland will trouble this team in the 6N. That’s my prediction.
And I guess about time too. Considering that France has won but one 6N title in 6 seasons despite being the best French team for generations thriving off the platform which is the Top 14.
They must just beware of peaking too soon and going to Australia over confident.
Which is also why I thinks it’s absolutely bonkers that France isn’t sending there best players to New Zealand next year. Yes, it isn’t Australia, but getting some SH travel experience makes more sense than not.
Go to commentsI'm not meaning to criticise the players, it's a professional game, this is their livelihood so all power to them. I am aiming criticism at the selectors. Italy is the perfect opportunity to give players of the future a game such as Lakai, Love etc. There is a finite number of tests until the next world cup to develop the team, we are wasting one today.
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