Wallabies lose midfielder for rest of spring tour

Lalakai Foketi’s spring tour is over, with the Wallabies try-scorer returning to Australia with a suspected leg fracture.

While the Australians fell 30-29 to France in Paris in the second match of their five-Test European tour, Foketi finished off one of the tries of the year in the 18th minute to give his team the lead.

In a brilliant team effort the Wallabies moved the ball through the backline over 95 metres to score.

However, the Waratahs midfield ace limped off six minutes later with what was described as a shin injury, replaced by Hunter Paisami.

The Wallabies were less than five minutes away from a stunning upset win over France, before some brilliance from Damian Penaud gave Les Bleus the lead. #FRAvAUS https://t.co/ec2pbFU24W

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 6, 2022

In a blow to their campaign, the Wallabies announced on Monday that Foketi would immediately fly home to Australia. They are yet to name his replacement.

The tourists had some positive news, however, with prop Allan Alaalatoa (concussion) and fullback Tom Banks (ankle) set to be available for their match against Italy.

Opening the tour with a win over Scotland before the France defeat, the Australians will face Italy in Florence on Sunday (AEDT).

They haven’t played the Italians since a 26-7 victory in 2018.