Queensland Reds stars Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Seru Uru brace for British and Irish Lions audition

There was a steely resolve in Lukhan Salakaia-Loto’s voice when asked about his Wallabies prospects as he prepared to launch his injury comeback for the Queensland Reds against the British and Irish Lions.

“I’m not there to prove anything,” the 41-Test forward declared. “I know where I belong.”

A shoulder concern ultimately cost Salakaia-Loto the backend of his Super Rugby Pacific campaign, forced to watch as the Reds succumbed to eventual champions, the Crusaders, in their Qualifying Final clash in Christchurch. 

His lack of game time, having not taken the field since early May, appeared to cost him a place in coach Joe Schmidt’s first Wallabies squad of the year to take on Fiji on Sunday.

But the 28-year-old confirmed he had been given clearance to be available for selection when Queensland contest the Lions in Brisbane on July 2, declaring he had “not a doubt at all” he would be fit to factor into Lions’ calculations.

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“I know my body well enough to know if it’s good or bad, or if I can push through, and I just knew I needed a bit of time on the sidelines to get my shoulder right,” Salakaia-Loto, who was named in 11 Tests last year, said.

“Funnily enough, I just got the green light, so it was pretty huge to get through the session – a big one at that. I know what I’m capable of, and I’m looking forward to showcasing that.”

Salakaia-Loto will now rely on his form for the Reds, and past exploits for Australia, to force his way into the fold, after Will Skelton, Jeremy Williams, Tom Hooper and Darcy Swain – who led the Super Rugby season for lineout wins – were named as the lock contenders against Fiji.