‘All the tools to be a weapon’: The Wallabies’ solid backup option

Ahead of the Reds tour of England, Salakaia-Loto suggested the style of rugby they would face would serve De Lutiis well.

“He’s definitely young and raw, and I think especially [with] tighthead props you have to give them time to grow – we’re seeing that with guys like Nella [Tupou],” Salakaia-Loto said.

“They’re different players in their own rights, but [have] a lot of similarities in the gym. I think if he can harness that strength and use it technically in the right way, he’s got all the tools to be a weapon in the scrum.

“It’s a very forward-dominated game over there [in England]. Guys like Mass [De Lutiis] are going to benefit from it.”

McReight, the most consistent Wallabies player last year, provided some insight into how De Lutiis performed in camp.

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“For the few days we had in Wallaby camp he went pretty hard, trucked it up and hit pretty hard and probably got in a few little scuffles there,” McReight said.

“Mass is a big personality, he doesn’t take a backwards step. In today’s age, you have people who want to bring you down or want to shape someone in a certain way, but I think being yourself is the ultimate way to play your best and train your best.

“When you’re yourself and your teammates respect you and let you be and prepare how you want to, you just flourish, so I think he’s going to be an important part to our success this year.”