‘No one’s guaranteed a position’: Kiss explains lock’s Wallabies return

New Wallabies coach Les Kiss has explained that while no one is ever guaranteed a spot in the top squad, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has earned a recall to the national team ahead of a two-Test series against Eddie Jones’ Japan.

The omission of Salakaia-Loto from the Wallabies’ squad for the July Nations Championship Tests in July was a big talking point, with boss Joe Schmidt instead going with a relatively inexperienced quartet of locks that included two debutants.

Lachlan Shaw entered the international arena in a two-point defeat to Ireland in Sydney, before Miles Amatosero got the chance to wear Wallaby gold in a 47-point win over Italy. Josh Canham and Jeremy Williams started all three matches in the second row.

But Kiss has included Salakaia-Loto in his first squad as Wallabies head coach, with the hulking second-rower back in the frame ahead of the next block of fixtures. The 29-year-old hasn’t played for the Wallabies since coming off the bench against England on November 2, 2025.

Salakaia-Loto had missed out on Wallabies selection ahead of the Lions Series 12 months ago, before making 13 Queensland Reds appearances in Super Rugby Pacific. Kiss revealed that the decision to select the tighthead lock was the result of “robust conversation with the coaches.”

“No one’s guaranteed a position. I make promises to no one,” Kiss told reporters.

“He’s worked hard. He had a game with the Baa Baas. He’s ready, we’ll give him a chance to go in there.

“I’m very focused on making sure we strengthen our tighthead locks. Miles has had a chance, I’ve seen him in there, that looks good. Jeremy, he can definitely play there in that area. Lukhan is a big powerful figure so to bring him into play, we just get to see him in the environment as well.”

Salakaia-Loto is one of 14 Reds players in the national squad, with utility back Isaac Henry the sole uncapped prospect selected. There are eight Queensland forwards in the side, including Wallabies captain Harry Wilson.

Canham is another, with the now five-Test lock coming off a historic appearance in the Nations Championship. The USA-born talent before the first lock in the Wallabies’ 127 year history to touch down for a hat-trick, stealing the show in a 57-10 triumph over Italy.

Salakaia-Loto now bolsters a second-row group that has come a fair way in recent weeks, with Williams putting in an 80-minute shift against France. Kiss was asked again about Salakaia-Loto’s selection, with the new coach explaining these discussions involved all players.

“By robust we talk about everything, we dive into every player. It’s not just about Lukhan, he’s just part of the picture,” Kiss explained.

“We just wanted to open up the floor and have a good discussion about what we thought was the most important things to get right early and go forward.

“As you can see, there’s not massive change. I wanted to make sure that most of those players are involved, get a good sight of myself and the new coaches and how the new coaching team will work.

“The discussions were about every player.”

Wallabies squad for Japan Tests

Forwards (19)
Allan Alaalatoa (#896, West Harbour Juniors, ACT Brumbies, 91)
Miles Amatosero (#998, South Coogee Red Devils, NSW Waratahs, 1)
Angus Bell (#940, Hunters Hill Rugby Club, NSW Waratahs, 53)
Charlie Cale (#976, Beecroft Junior Rugby Club, ACT Brumbies, 2)
Josh Canham (#987, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club, Queensland Reds, 5)
Isaac Kailea (#975, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club, NSW Waratahs, 8)
Fraser McReight (#937, Albany Creek Brumbies, Queensland Reds, 42)
Josh Nasser (#979, Easts Rugby (Brisbane), Queensland Reds, 13)
Zane Nonggorr (#966, Gold Coast Eagles, Queensland Reds, 20)
Brandon Paenga-Amosa (#918, Southern Districts, Western Force, 28)
Billy Pollard (#958, Lindfield Junior Rugby Club, ACT Brumbies, 21)
Aidan Ross (#994, Bond University, Queensland Reds, 3)
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (#914, Randwick, Queensland Reds, 45)
Lachlan Shaw (#996, University of Queensland, ACT Brumbies, 2)
Carlo Tizzano (#982, University of Western Australia, Western Force, 15)
Taniela Tupou (#917, Brothers Rugby (Brisbane), Racing 92 (France), 70)
Rob Valetini (#929, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club, ACT Brumbies, 65)
Jeremy Williams (#973, Wahroonga Tigers, Western Force, 28)
Harry Wilson (c) (#933, Gunnedah Red Devils, Queensland Reds, 39)

Backs (15)
Jock Campbell (#959, Inverell Highlanders, Queensland Reds, 6)
Filipo Daugunu (#931, Wests Bulldogs, Queensland Reds, 22)
Ben Donaldson (#962, Clovelly Eagles, Western Force, 21)
Carter Gordon (#967, Sunshine Coast Grammar School, Queensland Reds, 10)
Isaac Henry (uncapped, Kenmore Bears, Queensland Reds, 0)
Max Jorgensen (#984, Balmain Wolves, NSW Waratahs, 23)
Ryan Lonergan (#993, Tuggeranong Vikings, ACT Brumbies, 8)
Tate McDermott (#936, Flinders Rugby Club, Queensland Reds, 53)
Declan Meredith (#997, Barron Trinity Bulls, ACT Brumbies, 2)
Hunter Paisami (#932, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club, Queensland Reds, 35)
Dylan Pietsch (#979, Leeton Phantoms, Western Force, 11)
Harry Potter (#989, Moorabbin Rams, NSW Waratahs, 12)
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (#988, The Kings School, NSW Waratahs, 21)
Kalani Thomas (#995, Springfield Hawks, Queensland Reds, 1)
Tom Wright (#939, Clovelly Eagles, ACT Brumbies, 46)