Lukan Salakiya-Loto returns to the Australian national team

• Lukan Salakiya-Loto has returned to the Australian national team for the match against South Africa.
• Nick White has withdrawn from his contract to help the team due to injuries to players.
• The Australian national team plays its first test in Johannesburg on August 16.

Lock Lukan Salakiya-Loto has returned to the Australian national team for two test matches against South Africa as part of the Rugby Championship, which starts on August 16. This call-up could potentially strengthen his successful game for the First Nations team and the Pacific Islands against the Lions three weeks later.

Head coach Joe Schmidt noted that the team has made positive steps at the start of the international season, but there is still a lot of work to be done. The squad remains similar to that chosen for the series with the Lions, but includes several new players, among whom are three debutants.

In particular, due to injury to the main halfback Jake Gordon, in the match with South Africa, Nick White, who has withdrawn from his contract, will also play. He joins the team along with new faces, such as Tané Edmed, who replaces Tom Lynagh, who received a concussion.

The Australian national team plays its first test in Johannesburg, and the second – in Cape Town on August 23. Among the other new players in the squad are Josh Fluke, Josh Nasser, and Aidan Ross.

Tags: Sport