Queensland Reds lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has spent much of his rugby life training and learning at Ballymore.
It’s where he was a freshly-signed youngster in 2016 learning from seasoned Reds forwards like Rob Simmons, Kane Douglas, Greg Holmes and James Slipper.
It’s where the 45-Test Wallaby has now flipped that script to be a mentor himself for young Reds squad forwards like Vaiuta Latu, Charlie Brosnan and others.
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It’s why Saturday afternoon’s trial (2pm AEST) against the NSW Waratahs has extra meaning. It’s home for the Reds. They just don’t play here that often because the venue is now streamlined into being the BMS National Rugby Training Centre. Club grand finals, tour games against Japan’s Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights, under-age games and appealing trials like this one against the Waratahs are the menu of games.
In the case of the Waratahs, the Reds haven’t hosted the ‘Tahs in a pre-season trial at Ballymore since 2005 when Elton Flatley was skipper and led a 38-0 runaway.
“I’m always excited to play here. It’s where we train day in, day out so this chance to play in front of family and friends is a good feeling,” Salakaia-Loto said.
“It doesn’t happen every week and it’s a first trial here in 21 years for the Waratahs.
“Every opportunity we play against the old foe is good. It’s perfect for what we need entering the season.”
For both sides that means a strong hitout and feeling out potential strengths and weaknesses ahead of a full-on meeting in Round One in Sydney on February 13 when Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific kicks off.
“As a teenager, I learnt at the Reds from guys like ‘Simmo’, Greg Holmes, ‘Slips’, Sam Talakai, Kane Douglas and Scott Higginbotham,” Salakaia-Loto said.
“They helped shape me as a player and as a person as well. I'm still in touch with those guys on a regular basis.
“I really enjoy passing on advice where I can with some of the young guys in our current squad.
“Someone like (No.8) Vaiuta Latu carries the ball really well. He’s someone to be excited about. I try to pass on some knowledge at lock to Charlie Brosnan. Tom Robinson is another.”
Salakaia-Loto is in the prime of his career at 29, especially when you recall those powerhouse and productive periods he played in tour games against the 2025 British and Irish Lions.
Injuries restricted him to just seven Super Rugby Pacific outings last year. The influential 1.98m forward wants more out of this season.
“Stringing games together, finding consistency with doing my role, looking for improvements…that’s what I’m after,” he said.
Nowhere in this trial is there a higher level match-up than at lock.
Queensland’s Wallabies locks Salakaia-Loto and Josh Canham are up against two Wallabies locks in sky blue…new skipper Matt Philip and Angus Blyth.
“For Josh and I, this will be our third season playing alongside each other. I think we complement each other really well, We have good chemistry and we hope to take it up a level this season,” Salakaia-Loto said.
“What better way to start than at Ballymore against the Tahs. They have Mat Philip, the new captain, and Angus Blyth, who spent a long period at the Reds.”
Reds vs Waratahs at Ballymore, 2pm AEST Saturday, January 31 LIVE ON STAN SPORT
