Lalakai Foketi: Wallaby recommits to Waratahs and Rugby Australia
The Waratahs have announced that Lalakai Foketi has re-signed with them and Rugby Australia on a two-year contract, keeping him at the Sydney-based outfit until at least the end of the 2024 season.
The 27-year-old started his Super Rugby career with the Melbourne Rebels in 2014 before he had three seasons with Bay of Plenty in the Mitre 10 Cup, as well as a season in France with Bayonne.
He made his Waratahs debut in 2018 and made 12 appearances in his first season, and has established himself at the club ever since.
Fine form
The talented centre formed a devasting midfield partnership with Izaia Perese in 2021 and will make his 50th Super Rugby appearance when the Waratahs take on the Fijian Drua on Friday.
The former Australian U20 representative’s excellent form in 2021 saw him being called up to the Wallabies squad for their mid-year Tests against France and end-of-year tour of the northern hemisphere where he made his Test debut against Wales.
Foketi is delighted to continue to his stint at the Sydneysiders.
“My family’s happy here and settled and I’m loving playing at the Waratahs, so deciding to extend my time here for another two years was a no brainer,” told the Waratahs’ official website.
“It’s an extremely tight-knit group at the Waratahs and there is a real sense of excitement about what this team can achieve, and I want to play a part in putting this great club back on top.
“I think scratching the surface of international rugby at the end of last year made me incredibly motivated to stay in Australia and to continue to push for higher honours, especially with a World Cup next year. “I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to extend my time with the Waratahs and the Wallabies.”
Waratahs head coach Darren Coleman is thrilled that Foketi has extended his stay at the club.
“Lalakai is a really likeable, super humble, popular member of the team who genuinely cares about his teammates which is hugely important,” he said.
“He was a little late on the Super Rugby scene and had to bounce around the world before he got his gig here and his dedication and his focus have seen him get the call up with the Wallabies.
“Lalakai is an ultimate all-rounder, he can ball play, he can carry and he’s really strong defensively and he’s now at a point where he’s one of the most dangerous strike centres in the league and we’re glad he’s staying.”
Wallabies head coach Dave Rennie said: “La is a quality man who adds a lot to our mob on and off the field.”
“He’s had a unique journey to the Wallaby jersey and we saw how much it meant to him and our squad when he was selected for his debut in Wales last year.
“His quality distribution and footwork are a genuine point of difference but it’s his diligence to develop all parts of his game that has impressed us.”
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