Wallabies and Waratahs centre Lalakai Foketi has been taken to hospital after suffering a neck injury at training on Thursday that is all but set to rule him out of his side’s Super Rugby Pacific season opener against the Queensland Reds this weekend.
A day after being named at No.12 for the Waratahs ahead of their clash at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night, Foketi came off the training field after hurting his neck before being taken away in an ambulance from the team’s base in Daceyville.
Foketi was taken to hospital for precautionary scans, with results expected to be known by Friday.
The Waratahs say Foketi was responsive and able to move this fingers after the incident, which took place at a ruck. Onlookers say it was an innocuous knock.
Foketi’s wife and father met him at hospital after an injury that is likely to see the talented midfielder miss multiple matches.
“Foketi was taken to the Prince of Wales Hospital in Randwick by ambulance following the incident which occurred during the field session this morning,” a Waratahs statement read.
Waratahs centre Lalakai Foketi.Credit: Getty
“The club is awaiting the results from the scans and Foketi’s family are with him in hospital. Club representatives have been on hand to provide support throughout the day. The Waratahs would like to thank the amazing staff at the Prince of Wales Hospital and will provide further updates on Foketi as they come to hand.”
The 29-year-old was a member of the Wallabies’ World Cup squad in France.
New fullback Joey Walton could shift to inside centre, where he has played previously, with Max Jorgensen a chance to come into the starting side at No.15.
The Waratahs have been eager to monitor Jorgensen’s return from a fractured fibula that he picked up at the World Cup but may be forced to give the 19-year-old extra minutes in Foketi’s absence. Mosese Tupulotu is another option to partner Izaia Perese (No.13) in the centres.
NSW players will have to put news of Foketi’s injury to the back of their minds as they try and start fast in enemy territory.
Queensland won four straight matches against NSW in 2021 and 2022 before the Waratahs secured a 32-24 victory in Townsville last year. A favourable result in Brisbane would mark the first time the Waratahs have chalked up back-to-back wins over the Reds since May 2019.
