Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

'It was pretty tough': The Wallabies debutant looking to overcome horror Super Rugby season

(AAP Image/David Neilson)

Lalakai Foketi could be forgiven for wanting to erase the Waratahs’  Super Rugby season of misery from his mind.

ADVERTISEMENT

Instead Foketi is already thinking about what he can bring to the Waratahs from his experience as a new member of the Wallabies squad for next month’s test series against France.

The 26-year-old centre admits he was shocked to get the call-up, fearing the Waratahs’ winless season may have counted against him.

Video Spacer

Sir John Kirwan expresses concerns over All Blacks midfield without Ngani Laumape | The Breakdown

Video Spacer

Sir John Kirwan expresses concerns over All Blacks midfield without Ngani Laumape | The Breakdown

“It was a pretty tough Super season so to get the phone call on Sunday was surreal,” Foketi said on Thursday from the Gold Coast where the squad is preparing for the opening test against France on July 7 at the SCG.

“I didn’t think it was going to happen – it took me by surprise.”

With intense 12-hour days at Camp Wallaby, Foketi says he’s soaking up knowledge that he can use to improve the Waratahs in 2022.

“The season we had is still in the back of my mind and once my duties are over with the Wallabies I want to go back and rectify what happened,” the Sydneysider said.

“If there was one thing I can take to the Waratahs it would definitely be when you’re there, you’re there 100 per cent.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Being in this environment it’s professional 24/7 – everyone has to know everything about their role on the field and if you don’t you get left behind.”

He is also hoping to dislodge incumbents Matt Toomua and Hunter Paisami to earn his first test cap during the three-match series.

The only dampener on his selection is that his NSW centre partner Izaia Perese was ruled out of the camp after dislocating his shoulder in their final round Super Rugby Trans-Tasman clash with the Chiefs and requires surgery.

“To see him get named was a massive credit to how he’s been going through the season, he was at the forefront of our team in making us go forward,” Foketi said.

ADVERTISEMENT

“I’m gutted for him – sharing the field with him, he’s just a talent and I’m sure he will be here as soon as he’s ready to go.”

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

J
JW 2 hours ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Where? I remember saying "unders"? The LNR was formed by the FFR, if I said that in a way that meant the 'pro' side of the game didn't have an equal representation/say as the 'amateur' side (FFR remit) that was not my intent.


But also, as it is the governing body, it also has more responsibility. As long as WR looks at FFR as the running body for rugby in France, that 'power' will remain. If the LNR refuses to govern their clubs use of players to enable a request by FFR (from WR) to ensure it's players are able to compete in International rugby takes place they will simply remove their participation. If the players complain to the France's body, either of their health and safety concerns (through playing too many 'minutes' etc) or that they are not allowed to be part in matches of national interest, my understanding is action can be taken against the LNR like it could be any other body/business. I see where you're coming from now re EPCR and the shake up they gave it, yes, that wasn't meant to be a separate statement to say that FFR can threaten them with EPCR expulsion by itself, simply that it would be a strong repercussion for those teams to be removed (no one would want them after the above).


You keep bringing up these other things I cannot understand why. Again, do you think if the LNR were not acting responsibly they would be able to get away with whatever they want (the attitude of these posters saying "they pay the players")? You may deem what theyre doing currently as being irresponsible but most do not. Countries like New Zealand have not even complained about it because they've never had it different, never got things like windfall TV contracts from France, so they can't complain because theyre not missing out on anything. Sure, if the French kept doing things like withholding million dollar game payments, or causing millions of dollars of devaluation in rights, they these things I'm outlining would be taking place. That's not the case currently however, no one here really cares what the French do. It's upto them to sort themselves out if they're not happy. Now, that said, if they did make it obvious to World Rugby that they were never going to send the French side away (like they possibly did stating their intent to exclude 20 targeted players) in July, well then they would simply be given XV fixtures against tier 2 sides during that window and the FFR would need to do things like the 50/50 revenue split to get big teams visiting in Nov.

307 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ Despite defeat in Paris, the real reason the All Blacks are feeling upbeat Despite defeat in Paris, the real reason the All Blacks are feeling upbeat
Search