'I'll fight anyone': Wallaby enforcer's ring inspiration

Queensland Reds lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto wants to test himself in the ring, declaring he’ll fight anyone after being inspired by world champion Jai Opetaia.

The rampaging Reds and Wallabies lock boasts 45 Test caps and is in arguably career-best form ahead of Saturday’s spicy Super Rugby Pacific rematch with the NSW Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium.

But Salakaia-Loto is yearning for a chance in the ring and said that watching Opetaia, who, like him, proudly represents his Samoan roots, had only stoked the fire.

“I’m a huge fan of his and wouldn’t mind getting in the ring – if (rugby broadcaster) Stan Sport wants to chuck me on a card that’d be great,” he said ahead of Saturday’s fourth-round clash.

“I’ll fight anyone.”

Salakaia-Loto’s boxing declaration comes in the same week ex-Melbourne Storm prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona confirmed a fight against former Queensland State of Origin forward Jarrod Wallace.

“I have massive respect for guys in that sport, and you see a lot of ‘leaguies’ jump in,” he said.

“I have two younger brothers that live in Bali that do Muay Thai (combat sport and martial art).

“I’d love to step into the ring one day and give it a crack.”

Cruiserweight Opetaia moved to 30-0 in a controversial Las Vegas debut on Sunday (Monday AEDT) that, due to administrative conflicts with new promoter Zuffa Boxing, could see Australia’s only male world boxing champion stripped of his IBF title.

The 30-year-old has distanced himself from the sport’s politics, determined to unify the division and fulfil family legacy.

He fought back tears in the ring when he joined the large Samoan contingent, which included family members, who had broken into song after his defeat of Brandon Glanton.

The victory came a week after Samoan-born Canterbury Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton kicked the winning field goal against St George Illawarra in Las Vegas.

Salakaia-Loto admitted the sting of missing Test selection for a bulk of last year’s Wallabies campaign, including the three British and Irish Lions clashes, remained a big motivator this season.

“Like me, he’s got a few chips on his shoulder,” the lock and father of two said of his Samoan boxing counterpart.

“We come from such a small island, but the amount of talent we produce, in all sorts of sports … it’s going worldwide, and for Jai to fly the flag for us is massive.”

The Reds were beaten comfortably by the Waratahs in the season-opener but have burst to life with wins over the Highlanders and the previously unbeaten ACT Brumbies, in Canberra, last weekend.

Victory against the Waratahs at home is all but essential for the Reds if they are to push on to a top-three finish and earn a home final.

“It’s always a spicy one against the Tahs,” said Reds and Wallabies hooker Josh Nasser, who signed a contract extension through to 2028 this week.

“It was a rough result in round one, we’re looking to come in all guns blazing.”