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Foketi’s spring tour over as Rennie flags two big inclusions for Italy
By Tom Decent
Florence: A day after scoring a try for the ages, the Wallabies have lost centre Lalakai Foketi for the rest of the spring tour due to a shin injury as coach Dave Rennie contemplates whom to bring into the group before a match against Italy.
In the 18th minute of Australia’s 30-29 defeat to France in Paris, Foketi finished off a terrific 95-metre team try that will go down as one of the most spectacular five-pointers in Wallabies history.
However, seven minutes later the Waratahs midfielder was off the pitch and had his worst fears confirmed on Sunday, with scans showing a likely tibia fracture.
Foketi, who replaced Hunter Paisami at No.12 for the France Test, said goodbye to his teammates on Sunday and will arrive back in Australia facing a lengthy recovery before Super Rugby begins in February.
Rennie confirmed Foketi would take no further part on the tour and said management would make a call as soon as possible on who would come into the group.
At present, Paisami and Len Ikitau are the side’s only specialist centres. Others, like Andrew Kellaway, Reece Hodge and Jordan Petaia, could fill a hole if necessary.
Lalakai Foketi scores a try for the Wallabies against France.Credit: Getty
Two-Test Wallaby Irae Simone was touted as a replacement but the former Brumbies and Waratahs centre is carrying an injury and did not play on the weekend for his French club ASM Clermont Auvergne.
“We’re a bit thin from a midfield point of view,” Rennie told the Herald upon landing in Florence before Saturday’s third match of the tour against Italy. “We’ll look to bring someone in.”
Rennie also provided a positive update on fullback Tom Banks and prop Allan Alaalatoa, who missed the France Test due to an ankle injury and concussion, respectively.
“Tom is a chance, he ran on Saturday,” Rennie said. “We think he’s a good chance to be available. We’ll see how he goes over the next couple of days.
“Allan has been good. He’s been ticking off a lot of boxes over the last week and if he gets through his contact stuff, we’ll expect him to be available.”
Rennie has forecast multiple changes for the Italy match in a bid to freshen up the squad before hit-outs against Ireland and Wales to round out the five-week trip.
The Wallabies coach kept his cards close to his chest when asked whether a debutant might be named, such as winger Mark Nawaqanitawase, playmaker Ben Donaldson or prop Sam Talakai.
What is known is that Jake Gordon will start at halfback and Will Skelton is set to come into the starting XV after an eye-catching 26-minute stint at Stade de France.
Jake Gordon kicks against France.Credit: AP
“It’s the end of a long season and we just feel if we churn the same team out five weeks in a row we’ll be out of juice come Wales,” Rennie said. “We’ll make some shifts to freshen up guys and it’ll be exciting for the guys who get to play because we reckon we’ll get plenty out of them. They’re jumping out of their skin to get an opportunity.”
Meanwhile, captain James Slipper has played 144 of a potential 160 minutes to begin the tour.
If the loose-head prop is rested, Australia would need to select another captain.
With Michael Hooper standing away from the role and Nic White unlikely to play this week due to Rennie’s halfback rotation policy, Alaalatoa may get his first chance to lead the Wallabies after 61 Tests.
“He’s never going to put his hand up not to play,” Rennie said of Slipper. “We’ve got to make decisions on what’s best for the group. We’ve got a leadership group and if Slips wasn’t playing, then one of the other guys would lead.”
Australia haven’t played Italy since 2018 – a match the men in gold won 26-7.
The pain of a one-point loss to France did not sit any better with Rennie a day later as the Wallabies familiarised themselves with their new base in Florence.
“There’s still frustration because the boys emptied the tank,” Rennie said. “We’re definitely going to make some changes this week.”
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