In the latest episode of Stan Sport's Between Two Posts podcast, former Wallabies Morgan Turinui and Matt Burke delved into the exclusion of Lukhan Salakaia-Loto from Joe Schmidt's squad for the upcoming Nations Championship fixtures against Ireland, France, and Italy. The decision has stirred considerable discussion among rugby aficionados, especially given Salakaia-Loto's notable absence despite his inclusion in the Super Rugby Pacific team of the year.
Salakaia-Loto, a standout with the Reds, found no favor with Schmidt, who is wrapping up his tenure with three final matches before Les Kiss takes over. "This looks to me like a Joe Schmidt Wallabies squad. This is not Les, I would have thought, picking it from out the back," Turinui reflected. He added, "It’s a flawed Super Rugby Pacific team of the year, the way it is voted. It doesn’t matter how successful your team is. There is an equal amount of points available. It is what it is; it’s as much a conversation starter as a reward."
Despite this setback, Turinui sees a silver lining for Salakaia-Loto,
"It is hard, but everyone gets dropped at some stage. Sometimes you have to eat dirt, you have to go back and work hard. This is Lukhan’s opportunity. He can be a hugely important member of a World Cup squad next year if he spends the next month working hard doing the right things."
Meanwhile, the uncapped Miles Amatosero has been called up, a decision that Burke supports, noting the growth potential in such an environment. "You’ve got to change as a player once you get to that next level and I reckon this would be a really good start for him to say, ‘Okay, I can start a new leaf, and I can play in a better environment’," Burke stated.
The discussion also touched on potential changes in the midfield positions, with Joseph Suaalii and Len Ikitau at the center of speculation regarding a switch in their playing positions. While Burke seemed open to experimenting with the lineup, Turinui remained skeptical about any immediate changes under Schmidt's watch. "Don’t ask me what goes on within the mind of the great Joe Schmidt," Turinui remarked. "He has been absolutely committed; he is all in with Ikitau at 12 and Joseph at 13 and he has shown that every single time."
The dialogue between Turinui and Burke underscores the dynamic nature of rugby selection, where performance, potential, and coaching strategies intertwine, often leading to spirited debates among pundits and fans alike.