Reds enforcer Salakaia-Loto recalled in Les Kiss' first Wallabies squad

Queensland Reds enforcer Lukhan Salakaia-Loto is back in the mix for the Wallabies, with new coach Les Kiss also including one potential debutant in a 34-man squad ahead of two Tests against Eddie Jones’ Japan next month.

It’s a new era for the Wallabies, with Kiss now set to lead the side through to Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 on home soil. Rugby Australia announced 450 days ago exactly that Kiss would be the successor to Joe Schmidt, who led the side in 31 Tests.

Kiss has made a headline-grabbing selection call in the forwards, with Salakaia-Loto named in the squad after missing selection for the July Nations Championship Tests. The lock was instead chosen to play for the Barbarians and Souths in Queensland Premier Rugby.

Jeremy Williams, Miles Amatosero and Lachlan Shaw have all been selected as other options in the second-row. The same goes for Josh Canham, who last weekend became the first Wallaby in 127 years to score a hat-trick.

In the backs, Kiss has turned to Reds centre Isaac Henry as an uncapped prospect. Henry has battled through a series of devastating injuries, but enjoyed a breakthrough Super Rugby Pacific campaign with the Queensland Reds in 2026.

There are plenty of Queenslanders in this squad, with Tate McDermott, Kalani Thomas and Carter Gordon all candidates to play minutes in the halves. Ben Donaldson and Declan Meredith will also challenge Gordon for the starting role at fly-half.

The Wallabies brought an end to a six-game losing streak last weekend, when they ran away with a relentless 47-point win over Italy in Perth. They now turn their focus to two Tests against Japan, starting on August 8 in Osaka.

“Selection is always a challenging process, but as coaches we’ve looked to bring together a group based on form, cohesion and how we want to play the game,” Kiss said.

“Spending time with the group over the last few weeks alongside Scott McLeod and Jonny Fisher has been incredibly valuable as we look to hit the ground running.

“It’s been encouraging to see how tight they are as a group and how hard they work for each other and the gold jersey.  The challenge now is for everyone to roll up their sleeves and find a new level of consistency.”

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)