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Wallaby midfielder commits to Rugby Australia for two more years
By Kim Ekin
Rugby Australia and the NSW Waratahs are delighted to announce the re-signing of Lalakai Foketi until the end of 2025.
Wallaby number 950, Foketi made his International debut against Wales in Cardiff in 2021 and has gone on to represent his country a further four times, famously finishing a stunning length of the field of the try against France in Paris last year.
Far from taking the conventional path to Test Rugby, Foketi made his Super Rugby debut in 2014 for the Melbourne Rebels, before stints with Bay of Plenty in New Zealand’s Mitre 10 Cup and Bayonne in France’s Top 14 competition.
He returned to Australia in 2018, linking up with his home state and the NSW Waratahs where he has developed into a leader and regular starter at inside centre.
A product of the Manly Roos Junior Rugby Club, Manly Marlins and the Kings School, Foketi was also an Australian U20s representative in 2014.
Wallabies and NSW Waratahs centre, Lalakai Foketi said: “I’m super stoked to stay here at the Waratahs for the next two years. Sydney is home for me and my family and there’s nowhere else we would rather be.”
“I feel the group we have here at the moment is yet to reach its full potential and I look forward to working hard with my teammates and the coaching staff to make that happen.
“I’ve had a small taste of Test Rugby over the past two years which has really lit a fire inside me to earn more opportunities at that level and I know I’ll need to continue to work hard to make that happen.”
Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones said: “Lalakai is an experienced player who has all the attributes to be a standout centre at Test level.”
“He’s also a strong communicator and to have him re-sign with Australian Rugby for two years is really positive.”
NSW Waratahs head coach Darren Coleman said: “La is a quality man and a quality player. He’s got a strong carry, has good distribution and game sense and is one of our most solid defenders. He’s also very popular among the playing group.”
“His rugby experiences from different competitions brings a real point of difference to our team, so to have him locked in for the next two years is a massive positive.”
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Latest Comments
Perenara is super woke, the treaty of long ago is irrelevant to a game of rugby in Italy. By referencing it and claiming the countries going through tough times is clearly because Perenara doesn't agree with the democratically elected government of New Zealand that people from all ethnicities voted for. Perenara is making it divisive and political despite many of his team mates that wouldn't agree with his decision. The Allblacks saved this year's worst performance to combine it with the most divisive haka statement. Perhaps it's overdue now for NZ rugby to leave the haka for home games only, ensure that only the players that want to do it are included and never again have 'insertions' added by political activist players.
Go to commentsI expected a larger win than this and the ABs were off slightly whilst the rested Italians were well up for this and gave a real committed performance
Frustrating but a lot of those ABs forwards have done huge minutes this tour and Italy are not the side from the World Cup
Remember they beat wales and Scotland in the 6N
Drew with France and lost to England by 3
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