Wallabies lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto understands the keys to victory over the Springboks start in the forwards as they look to continue their hot streak at Suncorp Stadium.
The world champion South Africans have named a powerful pack stacked with World Cup winners and a six-two bench split, with over 500 caps in the forwards.
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Salakaia-Loto and the Wallabies are up for the challenge as they look to continue their winning start to the season.
“We’ve got to meet fire with fire and this is the challenge for our pack,” Salakaia-Loto said.
"We’re here at home in front of a sell-out so there’s no better arena for it and it’s going to be an awesome challenge.
“I know the boys are up for it. We don’t expect it to be easy, we know what’s in front of us and we know it’s going to be hard.
“We’ve come to terms with that and we know the world champs at Suncorp, it’s everything that you want to experience.”
The Wallabies return to Suncorp for the first time since 2022, where they have won 10 of their last 11 games.
This includes three wins over the South Africans, who have beaten the Australians once in Brisbane since 1971.
With the Test already sold out, returning Red Salakaia-Loto believes it sets up the perfect contest to kick off the Rugby Championship.
“They’re world-class (and) back-to-back world champs. There’s no other way to put it, they’re probably the best in the world right now,” he admits.
“It’s not so much about making a statement for us. Our goal is just to win games and this week is another opportunity to do so.
“For that to happen, we’ve got to be right up for the fight in the tight five and that’s where it starts and ends in games.
“It’s a big challenge, we know what’s coming and we don’t shy away from it. It’s going to be tough but that’s Test footy. We just roll our sleeves up and go to work and do the plan that we’ve set out to do and hopefully that gets us a win.”
