Experienced lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto is the latest Wallaby to re-sign long-term with Australian Rugby, committing to the Queensland Reds until at least the end of 2028.
Already signed for this year, the contract extension will see the 28-year-old remain at Ballymore for a further three years, which will include the 2027 Rugby World Cup on home soil.
Born in Auckland, Salakaia-Loto moved to Australia at a young age and was educated at John Edmondson High School in Sydney's West, before beginning his Rugby journey with Randwick Rugby in 2014.
Then known as Lukhan Tui, in 2015 he signed a three-year contract with the Queensland Reds going on to represent the Australian Under 20s in both the 2015 and 2016 World Championships - while also making his Super Rugby debut in 2016 against Bulls in Pretoria as a 19-year-old.
Just one year later he was selected in his first Wallabies squad, named to make his Test debut off the bench against South Africa in Bloemfontein, going on to feature in four Tests during his first International season.
In 2018, he continued to impress for the Reds and featured in the first seven Wallabies Tests of the year, including five starts at blindside flanker, showing his athleticism and versatility.
He was a key contributor for the Wallabies in the 2019 Rugby World Cup squad that travelled to Japan, playing in all five matches including the quarter-final.
Following two seasons of COVID-19 interrupted Rugby with the Reds, where he helped the side secure the 2021 Super Rugby AU trophy, Salakaia-Loto signed with English Premiership outfit Northampton, where he played the 2022-23 season, making 24 appearances for the Saints.
In 2024, he returned to Australia, linking up with the Melbourne Rebels where he made an immediate impact in helping the side reach their maiden Super Rugby Pacific finals campaign.
He also made his return to the gold jersey last year under Joe Schmidt, running out for the Wallabies in 11 of their 13 Tests in 2024.
Alongside his young family, Salakaia-Loto returned to Ballymore and the Queensland Reds ahead of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season, with his new commitment following the re-signing of incumbent captain Harry Wilson and fellow Test lock Jeremy Williams in recent weeks.
Wallaby number 914 and Queensland Reds lock, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto said: "Securing my future is massively important for me and my family and it's pretty cool that I get to continue my career here at the Reds. I'm looking forward giving back to the club that's invested a lot in myself and my family.
"I feel like I'm only just getting started in the second chapter of my career and that my best rugby is ahead of me and hopefully I can put my best foot forward in a Reds jersey and a Wallabies jersey is something that I can continue to earn.
"The goal at the beginning of last year was to put the Wallabies jersey on again and it's the goal again this year but I know that only comes from my performances for the Reds.
"To be at home for the next couple of years with my family settled here I think that's important for me to be able to produce some good Rugby."
Rugby Australia Director of High-Performance, Peter Horne said: "Lukhan is an experienced Test player whose re-signing shows his long-term commitment to the Queensland Reds and Australian Rugby."
"We're looking forward to continuing to see him work hard and perform well for the Reds during the Super Rugby Pacific season."
Queensland Reds head coach Les Kiss said: "We have welcomed Lukhan and his young family to Brisbane.
"He joined the Reds on the pre-season tour of the United Kingdom where the benefits of his experience were felt within our squad.
"We look forward to all he can contribute to the Reds on the field and in the locker room."
Position: Lock
Height: 200cm
Weight: 125kg
Born: 19 September 1996
Place of birth: Auckland, New Zealand
Test debut: 2017 v South Africa in Bloemfontein
Wallaby number: 914
Test caps: 41
Super Rugby debut: 2016 v Bulls in Pretoria
Super Rugby caps: 77 - 69 (Queensland Reds); 8 (Melbourne Rebels)
First Rugby Club: Randwick Rugby
Wallabies v Fiji, Sunday July 6 at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Wallabies v British & Irish Lions, Saturday July 19 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Wallabies v British & Irish Lions, Saturday July 26 at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Wallabies v British & Irish Lions, Saturday August 2 at Accor Stadium, Sydney
Wallabies v Argentina, Saturday September 6 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Wallabies v Argentina, Saturday September 13 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Wallabies v South Africa, Saturday August 16 at Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
Wallabies v South Africa, Saturday August 23 at DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Wallabies v New Zealand Saturday September 27, Eden Park, Auckland
Wallabies v New Zealand, Saturday October 4 at Optus Stadium, Perth
Spring Tour
Wallabies v Japan on Saturday October 25 at National Stadium, Tokyo
Wallabies v England, at 2:10am AEDT on Sunday November 2 at Allianz Stadium, London
Wallabies v Italy at 4:40am AEDT on Sunday November 9 at TBC
Wallabies v Ireland at 7:10am AEDT on Sunday November 16 at Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Wallabies v France at 7:10am on Sunday November 23 at TBC
