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Foketi: Wallabies not there to make up the numbers at the Rugby World Cup
Lalakai Foketi has boldly declared the Wallabies aren’t in France to make up the numbers and won’t be satisfied with anything less than winning the Rugby World Cup.
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The Australians are considered rank outsiders to lift the William Webb Ellis trophy for the first time since 1999 given they are winless from four Tests this year.
They will get a gauge of their status on Monday morning (AEST) in Paris in a warm-up match against the hosts, who are second favourites behind New Zealand to become world champions.
Centre Foketi feels the team can prove the doubters wrong and win the title.
“Of course, that’s why we’re here and that’s why we play,” the 28-year-old said from Paris.
“It’s the biggest stage for the boys here and we didn’t come here just to take part.
“I’m sure that’s every team and they’re gunning for that title so it’s no different for us.”
Despite their poor record under Eddie Jones, who took over for his second stint as Wallabies coach this year, Foketi felt they were tracking well ahead of their opening pool match against Georgia at Stade de France on September 10 (AEST).
“If you watch our games closely, and internally, we know we’re heading in the right direction and everyone’s going to see that in the World Cup,” he said.
“We’re putting good performances in the first half, especially the last game in Dunedin and so I think we’re trending in the right direction.
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“It’s a World Cup so we’ll go game by game and I think it’s whoever improves the most can get into those quarter-finals and semi-finals with everything humming.”
Jones will name his team for the France game on Friday, with Foketi set to start at inside centre with Samu Kerevi still recovering from a broken hand.
Ben Donaldson appears likely for his first match of the year, at fullback, while Jones could also look to give some other fringe players game time.
Foketi was part of the Wallabies line-up in Paris who suffered a cruel one-point loss after a late France try on last year’s Spring tour.
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The NSW Waratahs ace said his memories of facing France were a “rollercoaster” of emotions.
Foketi finished off a stunning coast-to-coast try midway through the first half but was forced off five minutes later with a tour-ending leg fracture.
“Getting that try and all those emotions were really high and then the injury struck and it just changed,” he said.
“The boys flew off to Italy the next day and I had to fly home. It was bittersweet.
“It was a roller coaster – one of the highest highs in my career playing against France in France and then being on the next flight out to Sydney. It was tough.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Who listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
40 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
40 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
39 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
1 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
4 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
1 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
4 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
4 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
4 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
4 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
40 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
4 Go to comments