The Wallabies star who got caught up in an ugly altercation with a fan after his team’s loss to Argentina has opened up about the incident and the loss of his step-father.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, who has changed his surname from to Tui to carry his father’s name, played for the Wallabies three days after his step-father’s death.
As a result, he was involved in the Wallabies shock 23-19 loss to the Pumas on the Gold Coast in September which then led to the altercation with the fan.
"I looked up at the stands towards my family. The one person I was so used to seeing wasn't there and my post-game routine felt weird. It was different this time. I was heartbroken," he said in PlayersVoice.
"I have no idea who that man was in the stands at the Gold Coast and I don’t hold any grudges towards him. I just remember how his comments made me feel.
"I know the way I reacted looked wrong but I was just trying to have a moment with my family. At the time and in that moment, I didn’t care what people thought. For as long as I’m alive I’ll always be a reflection of my parents, so when the incident after the game happened, I felt like I wasn’t the only one being disrespected. That’s why I reacted the way I did."
Salakaia-Lotu emphasised how important his family was to him, saying he’s only remorseful about one aspect of the altercation.
"The only thing I regret was having my little sister there to see how I reacted.
"She didn’t need to see her big brother like that."
After the incident, the 22-year-old loose forward stepped away from the Wallabies and the game to figure things out.
He added he has used the time away to learn about himself and is now raring to go in 2019 with his eyes on the World Cup.
"All I know is that I will do what I need to do every day to get that gold jersey back," he said.
"It’s an exciting year coming up with the Reds and the Wallabies and I’m just keen to rip in with a clear mind and a full heart.
"The fire is burning more than ever now."
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