Ospreys sign Wallaby centre Foketi days after securing fellow international Wright

The Ospreys have signed Wallaby centre Lalakai Foketi, the Welsh region’s second Australian international recruit in less than a week, following the earlier announcement of flanker Liam Wright’s arrival.

New Zealand-born Foketi, 30, made his Super Rugby debut for the Rebels in 2014 after coming through the Chiefs pathway, before a spell in France with Bayonne. He returned to Super Rugby in 2018 and went on to make more than 80 appearances for the Waratahs, earning a reputation as one of the competition’s best strike centres. He rejoined the Chiefs ahead of last season.

Foketi earned his first Wallabies cap in 2021 against Wales in Cardiff and has since accumulated eight senior international appearances. His most recent outing at club level came in the Chiefs’ Super Rugby semi-final victory over the Crusaders, where he delivered three try assists — the joint most by any centre in a single Super Rugby match since 2020.

“I’m really happy to be joining the Ospreys,” Foketi said. “It’s a club with a proud history and after speaking with Mark, I can see that the team has a clear vision of where it’s striving to be. The focus for me is to bring my experience, play my part for the team and contribute in whatever way I can in helping this club to be successful.”

Head coach Mark Jones described the signing as a significant addition to an already competitive group. “Lalakai is an experienced international who can immediately make a real contribution for us both on and off the field,” Jones said. “He’s a real all-rounder at centre with what he can offer on the ball and in defence, and we feel he will add even further quality to our already talented group of centres.”

Jones also highlighted Foketi’s potential influence on the club’s younger players. “His experience at the highest level will help us to accelerate the development of our younger backs, who we have extremely high hopes for over the coming seasons.”