Lalakai Louis Arapeta Foketi (born 22 December 1994) is a professional rugby union player who currently plays as a centre for the Ospreys in the United Rugby Championship (URC). Born in New Zealand, he has represented Australia at international level.

Career Early career In January 2014, the Melbourne Rebels announced the signing of Foketi ahead of their 2014 season. He was later named in the Rebels' extended playing squad before their first pre-season match against the in February.

He was not expected to feature much during his debut season, however a spate of injuries to Rebels backline players saw him earn a first Super Rugby cap against the on 23 May 2014.

Foketi was an Australia Schoolboys representative in 2012, and played four matches for the Australia under-20s side at the 2013 IRB Junior World Championship in France. He also played four matches in the 2014 tournament in New Zealand.

Bayonne In June 2014, Foketi was announced as a new signing for Bayonne in the South of France ahead of the 2014–15 Top 14 season. Foketi had failed to break through the domestic rugby of Australia, having played just six professional matches by the time of his transfer. Foketi played a total of nine games for Bayonne across the Top 14 and Challenge Cup competitions.

NRC and NPC In 2015, Foketi transferred to the Bay of Plenty in New Zealand's National Provincial Championship (NPC) competition (known as the Mitre 10 cup). While there he became a mainstay throughout 2015 and 2016. By 2017, Foketi had played in 30 matches, and scored 15 tries. During his tenure in New Zealand, Foketi had also played various stints at the Greater Sydney Rams in Australia's National Rugby Championship (NRC).

Waratahs In the 2018 Super Rugby pre-season, Foketi, whom was 23-year-old, transferred to the New South Wales Waratahs. Foketi was one of several young players that had arrived at the team following the axing of the Perth-based Western Force.

Lalakai Foketi made his Waratahs Super Rugby debut in the 2018 season opener against the Stormers on 24 February 2018, starting in the midfield alongside veteran Australia international Kurtley Beale. In his first year, he featured in 13 matches (starting in five), scoring two tries. The Waratahs finished third on the overall ladder, and lost in the semi-finals to the Lions 44–26 in Johannesburg. It was the first Waratahs finals appearance, and semi-final, since 2015.

Foketi's contract with the Waratahs and Rugby Australia was extended on several occasions, including agreements signed in 2021, 2022, and 2023, the latter was through the end of 2025.

In February 2024, during pre-season training at the Waratahs' training ground in Daceyville, Foketi suffered a neck injury. He was cleared for any serious neck issues and returned to the squad after five weeks. He went on to make 10 appearances without scoring a try amid form struggles and a disappointing campaign for the Waratahs overall. The Sydney Morning Herald later dubbed it "a year from hell" and "the worst season of his career". In 2025, he appeared in nine matches, with injuries, including groin and shoulder problems.

Over his Waratahs tenure from 2018 to 2025, Foketi accumulated 85 appearances, scoring nine tries for a total of 45 points in the Super Rugby (including the Super Rugby AU and Super Rugby Trans-Tasman). His overall appearances with the team peaked at 14 in the 2022 season, where he started in every match (scoring three tries), and made an additional seven appearances for Australia's senior and second international teams during the year.

Legal dispute In December 2025, Code Sports and The Roar reported that Foketi had launched legal action against Rugby Australia (RA) and the Waratahs, claiming he was wrongfully dismissed after his contract was terminated the previous month (November). RA ended Foketi's contract without pay after determining he had breached its terms by travelling to New Zealand to undertake promotional activities with his new club, the Chiefs, before his Waratahs contract officially expired on 30 November. Foketi had declined an unpaid early release, but his move to the Chiefs was publicly announced on 2 November. He was reportedly seeking approximately $50k+ in unpaid wages, long-service leave entitlements, and additional damages. He also stated that he had been told by Waratahs coach Dan McKellar that he was not required to attend pre-season training and could take time off with his family, and maintained that he continued to fulfil his contractual obligations, including returning to Australia for a promotional appearance in Perth, and notes that his Chiefs contract did not begin until 1 December. Following the report with The Roar, Foketi said he had no intention of returning to play in Australia again.

Chiefs On 30 May 2025, just before the conclusion of the 2025 Super Rugby season, Code Sports reported that Foketi was receiving offers from clubs in France and New Zealand. In July the same publication revealed that Foketi had joined the Hamilton-based Chiefs team in New Zealand (later confirmed to be a one-year deal) for their 2026 season. Confirming earlier reports, Stuff added that Foketi would add depth to the Chiefs midfield for 2026 with the departure of veteran All Black Anton Lienert-Brown, Rameka Poihipi and Gideon Wrampling. Foketi, speaking to the publication, stated that he was "really excited to be coming back to where it all began and be a part of the Chiefs family."

Before the start of the 2026 season had kicked-off, Foketi was ruled out due to a knee injury, and was reported to be fit by round three. Foketi returned from injury and was named in their round three Grand Final rematch squad against the Crusaders at home. Foketi played in the Chiefs' following two matches, starting against the Moana Pasifika, and scoring a try in the 32nd minute in a bonus point win. After playing just three games, Foketi was ruled out due to a hand injury. He did not return until Anzac/Super Round. Since returning, Foketi became a strong substitute player for the Chiefs, and was given a start in their semi-final clash against the Crusaders, which saw them win by 37 points to reach their fourth consecutive Super Rugby final.

Ospreys On 12 June 2026, Foketi was announced by Welsh provincial club Ospreys as their newest signing ahead of the 2026–27 United Rugby Championship season alongside fellow Australian player Liam Wright.

Personal life Foketi is of Māori and Tongan heritage. He is married to a woman (Mason), and has two children. In June 2026, Foketi and his wife announced their third child.

Career statistics Club

+ Statistics by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueOtherTotalDivisionAppsTriesPointsAppsTriesPointsAppsTriesPoints 2014 Super Rugby 2 0 0 — 2 0 0 Greater Sydney Rams 2014 National Rugby Championship 4 0 0 — 4 0 0 Bayonne 2014–15 Top 14 5 0 0 4 0 0 9 0 0 Bay of Plenty 2015 National Provincial Championship 10 1 5 — 10 1 5 2016 8 6 30 — 8 6 30 2017 12 8 40 — 12 8 40 Total 30 15 75 — 30 15 75 2018 Super Rugby 13 2 10 — 13 2 10 2019 11 0 0 — 11 0 0 Total 24 2 10 — 24 2 10 Sydney Rays 2019 National Rugby Championship 4 5 25 — 4 5 25 2020 Super Rugby 6 1 5 — 6 1 5 2020 Super Rugby AU 3 0 0 — 3 0 0 2021 5 0 0 — 5 0 0 2021 Super Rugby Trans-Tasman 5 0 0 — 5 0 0 2022 Super Rugby Pacific 14 3 15 — 14 3 15 2023 10 3 15 — 10 3 15 2024 9 0 0 — 9 0 0 2025 9 0 0 — 9 0 0 Total 61 7 35 — 61 7 35 2026 Super Rugby 9 1 5 — 9 1 5 Career total 139 30 150 4 0 0 143 30 150

International

+ Statistics by team and yearTeamYearStatisticAppsTriesPoints Australia 2021 1 0 0 2022 4 1 5 2023 4 0 0 Total 9 1 5 Australia A 2022 3 0 0 Total 3 0 0

International tries + List of international tries scored by Lalakai Foketi Opponent Location Competition Date Result 1 Stade de France, Saint-Denis 2022 Autumn Internationals 5 November 202230–29

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