Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

'Heavy heart': Salakaia-Loto quits Northampton with immediate effect

By Liam Heagney
(Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)

Northampton boss Phil Dowson has lost the services of Lukhan Salakaia-Loto for 2023/24 after the Gallagher Premiership club agreed to release the Australian on compassionate grounds.

ADVERTISEMENT

It was last month when the Saints thought they had completed their list of departures, adding the names of Brandon Nansen, Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi, Ethan Grayson, Frankie Sleightholme, Callum Burns, Archie Kean, and Joseph Gaffan to the already confirmed exits of David Ribbans, Mike Haywood, Courtnall Skosan, Tom Collins, James Fish and Matt Proctor.

However, a fresh addition to that list has now been confirmed. A statement read: “Northampton can confirm that lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will depart the club with immediate effect. The 26-year-old second row joined ahead of the 2022/23 season from Queensland Reds.

Video Spacer

Video Spacer

“Salakaia-Loto made 24 appearances in total for Saints, scoring twice against Bristol Bears and Harlequins, both at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.”

Director of rugby Dowson said: “We’re disappointed to see Lukhan return home to Australia, but he made it clear that, while he has enjoyed every moment of his time as a Saint, his family have not settled so far away from home. No matter what, as a rugby player your family always has to come first, so we understand Lukhan’s decision and wish him the best moving forward.”

Salakaia-Loto added: “I’m leaving Saints with a heavy heart as I loved my first season representing Northampton and being part of a special group of players here. I believe the club has everything in place to challenge for major silverware in the years ahead, but you have to put your family before everything else, and being on the other side of the world from the rest of our loved ones has been difficult.

“So we have made the decision to return home to Australia, but I’ll always cherish the short time I had and how all the Saints supporters welcomed us into this community in Northampton. I’m leaving some great teammates and friends, but I hope the boys can kick on again next season – and I’ll be supporting everyone at Saints from afar.”

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

B
Bull Shark 3 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Louis Rees-Zammit signs for Roc Nation ahead of his Kansas visit Louis Rees-Zammit signs for Roc Nation ahead of his Kansas visit
Search