Lalakai Foketi doesn't think he's earned a phone call from Joe Schmidt, but as the lone Australian left standing in the Super Rugby Pacific season hasn't closed the door on a Wallabies return.
As the Wallabies gather in Sydney ahead of a July 4 Test against Ireland, the Chiefs centre will complete a rollercoaster 12 months when he runs out against the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday.
A World Cup player in 2023, Foketi was repeatedly injured - he avoided spinal damage but feared his career was over after a scary training injury in 2024 - and sapped of confidence when he eventually left the NSW Waratahs last season.
The messy exit prompted ongoing legal action, with the 31-year-old claiming he was wrongfully dismissed when his contract was terminated because he'd breached terms by travelling to Hamilton for promotional duties with his new club.
The nine-Test Wallaby, born in Hamilton before moving to NSW and getting his Super Rugby start at the Melbourne Rebels, battled two early-season injuries to earn a start and star in the Chiefs' semi-final defeat of the Crusaders.
Add in the arrival of Foketi's third child last Monday, and the confirmation of a move next season to Welsh club Ospreys next year, and it's been busy fortnight.
"Crazy, but one I'll never forget," he told AAP on Tuesday ahead of the Chiefs' fourth-straight grand final appearance.
"I wasn't sure how it was going to go, coming over here. Now (the prospect of a premiership) it's something at night that I think about.
"Far out, what a cool story to tell the kids when they're older, to come back home and be part of a team that was able to win a Super Rugby grand final."
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For the first time in nine Super Rugby seasons there were no Australian teams in the semis.
Foketi came off the bench when his second-placed Chiefs knocked over the fifth-placed Queensland Reds in the qualifying final, while the ACT Brumbies were blown away by the first-placed Hurricanes.
"The detail, and from November to now, there is just no sense of doubt," Foketi said, trying to explain the differences between the environments.
"Hone in on what you're good at, bring that to the team and if everyone does that, we'll go well. People see the crazy stuff players do out there, but that's happening at training every day.
"They're not leaving the club until they're 100 per cent clear.
"If you're not pulling your weight you'll get found out and someone is going to call you out."
Foketi produced three try assists, as many as any centre in a Super Rugby game in 26 years, to set the tone in a scintillating first half against the Crusaders.
But even with injury and availability concerns in the Wallabies midfield ranks he isn't expecting a call from Schmidt.
"I haven't spoken to Joe in a long time, but I put that on myself because I didn't deserve the call," he said.
"But who's to say ... if I stay injury free and things work out. It's an exciting time for rugby and I just wish them all the best."
Foketi said the Chiefs' coaching staff had helped even as he battled early-season injuries.
"I feel a lot more confident in the way I can see the game and the coaches tell you to believe and trust in yourself and that's been rewarding, because the last few years at the Tahs the confidence was a bit low," he said.
"And on the weekend I just really enjoyed that arena, the big moment."
Foketi had hoped to stay in Hamilton with the Chiefs, but is buzzing to return to Europe with his family after a brief stint with Top 14 side Bayonne more than a decade ago.
The Ospreys play in the United Rugby Championships and also added former Wallabies captain Liam Wright to a list that includes another Australian, lock Ryan Smith.
Australian Associated Press
