Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Australia centre Lalakai Foketi played in three out of four World Cup games in 2023 and only missed the 40-6 defeat by Wales
- Published59 minutes ago
Ospreys have signed Australia centre Lalakai Foketi from Super Rugby Pacific side Chiefs.
The nine-times capped Wallaby will join fellow countrymen, lock Ryan Smith and flanker Liam Wright, in Swansea for the 2026-27 season.
The Ospreys are also interested in signing Australian fly-half Lawson Creighton.
"I'm happy to be joining the Ospreys and I can see the team has a clear vision of where it's striving to be," said Foketi.
"I've heard a lot of good things about the environment and passion of the supporters, and I'm looking forward to getting to work with the coaches and my new team-mates."
Welsh rugby's ins, outs and re-signings for 2026-27
- Published1 day ago
United Rugby Championship unveil 2026-27 fixtures
- Published19 May
Ospreys sign WRU deal, Scarlets yet to agree
- Published6 days ago
Foketi, 31, was born in New Zealand before his family moved to Australia.
He played for Australia Under-20s and made his Super Rugby debut for Melbourne Rebels in 2014 before leaving to play for French side Bayonne later that year.
Foketi returned to New Zealand where he played a couple of seasons for Bay of Plenty in the Mitre 10 Cup competition before linking up with the NSW Waratahs from 2018 until 2025.
Foketi was given his first Australia cap as a replacement in the 29-28 defeat against Wales in Cardiff in November 2021, before appearing three times in the 2023 World Cup in France.
Foketi played for the First Nations and Pasifika XV against the British and Irish Lions on the 2025 summer tour of Australia before leaving Waratahs later that year.
He joined Hamilton-based Chiefs for the 2026 campaign and will be involved in the Super Rugby final next weekend.
Foketi was instrumental in the semi-final win against Crusaders with three try assists, the joint most of any centre in a Super Rugby game since 2020.
"This is another great bit of news for the club and our supporters," said Ospreys head coach Mark Jones.
"Lalakai is an experienced international who can immediately make a real contribution for us on and off the field.
"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.
"He's got a few points of difference that will bring a new dimension to our attack, and we're excited to utilise that."
