Wallabies lose lineout caller Canham to hamstring strain before Springboks clash in Perth

Josh Canham has been ruled out of the Wallabies’ Test against the Springboks in Perth on Sunday after suffering a minor hamstring strain, with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto called into the starting XV in his place.

Canham, 25, had established himself as a key figure in the Wallabies setup this season, making six Test appearances and taking on the lineout-calling duties. He had not started a Test before the Nations Championship fixture in July but quickly became a core part of the side under coach Les Kiss.

“It is always a big loss when you lose your lineout caller, and someone like Canham has been playing some really good footy for us,” captain Harry Wilson told reporters on Saturday morning. Salakaia-Loto will now pack down alongside Jeremy Williams in the run-on side, with Lachlan Shaw added to the bench.

Wilson backed Williams to handle the lineout responsibility, noting the lock had called in international rugby before. He was equally enthusiastic about Salakaia-Loto’s impact. “I know how excited he is and he’s raring to go. He might not offer Canham’s jumping ability — gee whiz — he can offer some other stuff around the field.”

Salakaia-Loto had been left out of the July internationals before returning to the squad under Kiss, starting in the Wallabies’ 56-17 win over Japan in Townsville. He now faces a considerably stiffer test opposite Eben Etzebeth and Franco Mostert, who between them hold more than 230 Test caps and two Rugby World Cup winners’ medals each.

Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus has also named dual World Cup winner Lood de Jager among the replacements, with the Boks’ bench accounting for more than 340 Test caps in total. Jasper Wiese will make his 50th Test appearance, with Malcolm Marx and Ox Nche also available to add impact off the bench.

“We know they’re a team that want to go through us. They’re a big, abrasive forward pack,” Wilson said. “To have someone like Lukhan next to you, it gives you a bit of confidence and he really relishes those battles.”

The Wallabies arrive in Perth unbeaten since a loss to France on 11 July, winning four and drawing once in that run. Thirteen months ago they produced a famous comeback at Emirates Airline Park, overturning a deficit to win 38-22 with 38 unanswered points, though the Springboks levelled the series the following weekend in Cape Town. Wilson was quick to stress that history carries little weight heading into Sunday’s fixture. “We’re really aware that it means nothing tomorrow night,” he said.