mens
international
The Wallabies suffered a major defeat ahead of Sunday’s clash against two-time defending world champions the Springboks in Perth, with linebacker and in-form lock Josh Canham ruled out with a minor hamstring strain.
Canham has not started a match in Wallaby gold before Nations Championship Test in July, but the second-rower quickly emerged as a key member of the side. The 25-year-old has featured in six Tests this season and was due to make another appearance this weekend.
But the Wallabies have been dealt an injury blow ahead of the match, confirming a significant squad update on Saturday morning. Lukhan Salakaia-Lotto will now pack in alongside Jeremy Williams in the run-on side, while Lachlan Shaw comes on the bench.
Salakaia-Lotto missed out on selection for July’s internationals, before returning to the fold of new Wallabies coach Les Kiss. The coach named Salakaia-Lotto in the squad for the two-Test series against Japan, with the lock starting in a dominant 56-17 win in Townsville.
“It’s always a big loss when you lose your signal caller and someone like Canham is playing really well for us,” Wallabies captain Harry Wilson told reporters.
“Someone like Jeremy Williams, he’s called (in the ranks) in international football before and I’m really looking forward to him getting that opportunity.
“Then someone like Lukhan Salakaia-Lotto comes into the starting team, I know how excited he is and he can’t wait to go. He might not offer Canham’s jumping ability, but he can offer some other things around the pitch.”
Salakaia-Lotto and Williams will line up opposite the two experienced Springboks locks, with two routes Rugby World Cup winners Eben Etzebeth and Franco Mostert with 230 games between them.
Coach Rassie Erasmus also named two-time World Cup winner Lood de Jager on the bench, with more than 340 Test caps between the replacements. Jasper Wiese will turn 50th look, while Malcolm Marx and Ox Nche also add impact.
“We know they’re a team that wants to come through us. They’re a big, abrasive pack up front,” Wilson said.
“Having someone like Lukhan by your side gives you a bit of confidence and he really enjoys those battles.
“When he fights Franz Mostert and Eben Etzebeth, he’s up against some experienced activists, but he’s quite experienced himself.”
The Wallabies pulled off a famous comeback win over the Springboks 13 months ago at Emirates Airline Park, scoring 38 unanswered points to win 38-22. The sides met again the following weekend in Cape Town, with the Boks winning in a thriller.
“But I guess we’re really aware that tomorrow night it doesn’t mean anything,” explained Wilson, as the Wallabies look to maintain their unbeaten run under coach Kiss. The Wallabies haven’t lost since they played France July 11, four wins and a draw since then.
“We definitely looked back on some things we did really well against them, and that definitely gives the guys a lot of confidence.
“We know what kind of team they will be, we have watched them very closely in the last four matches against the Kiwis in an incredible test.
“We had a chance to go against them. Obviously there have been a few changes but there are still 10 World Cup winners, the other pair have played 250 international games. They are still such an experienced team with Handre Pollard leading them.”