Lalakai Foketi slams RUPA boss Justin Harrison for lack of support over legal case against Rugby Australia

Wallabies star Lalakai Foketi has slammed the rugby players’ association, claiming the union provided no support in his decision to take legal action against Rugby Australia.

Wallabies centre Lalakai Foketi claims players’ association boss Justin Harrison tried to dissuade him from taking legal action against Rugby Australia, and has urged fellow players to abandon the union.

Harrison said the Rugby Union Players’ Association had, and continues to, support Foketi, and there has been some timeline issues regarding his claim.

Foketi is suing RA for $38,000, which he says is owed by his former employer for the month of November, after his contract was terminated for an alleged breach.

Foketi, signed with New Zealand Super Rugby club the Chiefs for 2026, has slammed RUPA for their perceived lack of support.

Lalakai Foketi has slammed the Rugby Player’s Association for the lack of support. Picture: Phil Walter/Getty Images

“I wish I could go to every Super Rugby club and tell all the boys, you’re paying RUPA to support you, and when you need them the most, in time of need, they just wash their hands and say, ‘Sorry, we can’t help you’,” Foketi told Code Sports.

“And they said it in like a threatening way saying, ‘Well, if you take legal action, it’s not going to be good for you if you want to come back and play for the Wallabies’. It’s like, just toe the line, because you might tarnish a few relationships.

“I don’t know who you think you are, but you cannot just treat players or anyone like that in life and think that you can get away with it.”

But Harrison said: “RUPA is committed to supporting all members, including Lalakai.

“RUPA has provided advice and guidance to Lalakai in this matter and continues to do so. RUPA’s ability to respond and assist can be affected by timeframes and availability of information, and Lalakai has been dealing with RA primarily with the assistance of his own independent legal representative, but RUPA’s position remains that it supports Lalakai.”

Foketi’s lawyer, former Australian Super Rugby player Michael Wells, says the player commonly referred to as “La”, and his agent Milan Volavola-Shankar, were snubbed by Harrison.

Foketi is taking Rugby Australia to court. Picture: Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images

“The disappointing part is the lack of involvement from the players union to take up the claim on behalf of a member, who had been there for the better part of a decade,” said Wells, an associate at firm BlackBay Lawyers.

“My understanding is that La and Milan had directly reached out to Justin and basically he said can’t do anything. I’ve been provided the correspondence, I can’t speak to any phone calls that have been had.

“I can see on the emails that RUPA refrains from providing any legal advice, which is appropriate. They don’t offer any legal services.

“They also don’t say that they’ll step in and advocate and support La should he take up such proceedings. I think there was a reference for La to bear in mind that should he initiate any proceedings, it may hinder his ability to come back to Rugby Australia in the future, which is really disappointing.

Rugby Union Players Association chief executive Justin Harrison.

Former Australian Super Rugby player turned lawyer Michael Wells.

“You’re telling a player who’s been summarily dismissed and foregoing a considerable amount of money, knowing his context of he’s got two kids and one on the way, and you’re saying rightly or wrongly you’ve been terminated, don’t take any action because it may impact your future employment with this same person who seems to have unfairly dismissed you, or wrongfully terminated you.

“I can’t speak to why RUPA would make such a statement, and not vigorously advocate for its union members.

“I dare say that comparable unions in other industries wouldn’t be so accommodating of a governing body for doing such actions.”

RA is not publicly commenting on the case.

Foketi was deemed to have breached his contract by filming promotional material for the Chiefs’ social media channels in early November, while still under contract by RA, having agreed to remain in Australia until his employment finished on November 30.

It’s understood RA asked Foketi for details around his travel bookings to New Zealand in November, which weren’t immediately handed over.

Originally published as Lalakai Foketi slams RUPA boss Justin Harrison for lack of support over legal case against Rugby Australia