Lalakai Foketi says he is loving life at the Ospreys, and is ready to take his chance when it comes after settling quickly following his summer move from New Zealand’s Chiefs.
The 31-year-old Australia centre was one of a clutch of Wallabies to join the region over the summer, and featured in Friday’s pre-season defeat at Ulster as he builds towards the new season.
“I’m loving it here, and I’ve been talking to Mark Jones from day one. The boys have made me feel very welcome and the environment’s great,” said Foketi.
“Everyone wants to learn and everyone’s competing this early in pre-season. I love it.”
A warm welcome, and warmer weather
Foketi has made the most of a Welsh summer that has surprised even the locals, though he is bracing his family for the change of season to come.
“I went to the beach yesterday on the day off. Whenever the Aussie boys come to see you, they bring the weather with them,” he said.
“The boys have said this is the best summer they’ve ever had, so I’m just lapping it in. I’m waiting for the family to arrive so they can experience it, because if they come straight into winter they’re going to have to keep the jumpers on from Australia. But it’s great for training and for footy.”
The centre singled out two of his new teammates for helping him settle.
“Big Tommy Rogers, Big Morgz, Morgan Morris, all the lads have made me feel very welcome and offered all their help,” he said. “I honestly couldn’t speak highly enough of the lads.”
‘A lot of talent and a lot of competition’
Foketi arrives with genuine pedigree. Born in New Zealand, he came through the Chiefs pathway before a Super Rugby career that took in the Rebels, a spell in France with Bayonne and more than 80 appearances for the Waratahs, and he won the last of his eight Australia caps having made his debut against Wales in Cardiff in 2021.
He knows he joins a centre group already deep in options, and is ready for the fight.
“I’ve come here to compete and to add my game to this team. There’s a lot of talent here and a lot of competition already,” he said.
“So when I get the opportunity, I’ll take it with both hands and give it 110% for the club and for the community.”
The Ospreys open their United Rugby Championship season away to the Hollywoodbets Sharks in Durban on Saturday 26 September.
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
OSPREYS: Wallaby Lalakai Foketi joins, the second Australia international to sign in a week
The centre’s summer arrival from the Chiefs.
OSPREYS: Seven-try Ulster too strong for heavily rotated Ospreys in Belfast
The pre-season game Foketi featured in.
OSPREYS: Parry and Watkin lead together for the first time as Ulster close out pre-season
The build-up to the Ulster fixture and the URC opener.
OSPREYS: Parry and Watkin take the armband for a season of firsts
The Wales pair named co-captains for the new season.
Discover more from Swansea Bay News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
