‘He has to be involved’: Wallaby calls for key selection ahead of Lions

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto reckons the Wallabies can forget about beating the British and Irish Lions or winning the home World Cup if selectors overlook Taniela Tupou.

The Queensland Reds lock delivered the rousing endorsement of his NSW Waratahs rival ahead of the sides’ high-stakes Super Rugby Pacific clash in Sydney on Friday.

Prop Tupou was a menace at scrum time and in the collisions during his 88-game career at the Reds but failed to replicate that influence since moving to the Rebels and now Waratahs.

Salakaia-Loto enjoys a playful, public back-and-forth with his good friend Tupou, especially in the lead-up to a derby.

But he was quick to his defence on Wednesday when asked about the 51-Test prop’s value to the Wallabies.

“If there’s any chance we have in winning a Lions series and home World Cup (in 2027), he has to be involved,” he said.

“We go through times when our form dips. He’s only human, no exception.

“I’m really close with him, stay in touch pretty much daily.

“For the Wallabies to do well … you’ve got to include him, I think everyone knows that.

“Get behind him and support him because we know that at his best, there’s not many that come close.”

Salakaia-Loto returned to Ballymore this season after a stint in England to provide stability for his young family and improve his Test chances.

Happy with his form, the 28-year-old expects the intensity to lift on Friday with the fourth-placed Reds and ninth-placed Waratahs at critical junctures.

“You’re trying to prove yourself every week but this week’s the perfect game to prove that, up against the old foe,” he said of fighting for a Test spot.

“You’ll see a lot of boys looking to have a big one.

“It’s going to be highly emotional.”

A last-minute try sunk the Reds in Fiji last week, pushing them six points behind third-placed ACT Brumbies, but with a game in hand.

A top-three finish secures a home quarter-final.

They’ll welcome back Filipo Daugunu but lose Hunter Paisami (corked leg) in a midfield swap, while Josh Nasser’s also back from injury in a boost to their dwindling hooker stocks.

“A lot of disappointment,” coach Les Kiss said of the loss to the Fijian Drua.

“The boys have been up-front, taken that hit on the nose.

“We’ve got to move forward and (before playing the Waratahs) the pulse raises for sure.”