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Wallabies lose midfielder for rest of spring tour

By AAP
Lalakai Foketi of Australia during the 2022 Autumn International test match between France and Australia at Stade de France on November 5, 2022 in Saint-Denis near Paris, France. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)

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.

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.