NSW Waratahs centre Lalakai Foketi returns after scary neck injury

“It was scary. Straight away I just started trying move my hands and my legs, thinking what is going on, and what is the extent of this?

“I definitely had movement and I could feel them touching me and stuff, but it was just the thought of if I move a little bit, could something worse happen? I just didn’t know and listened to what they had to say [to stay still].

“That was probably the scariest and hardest thing, just the boys watching me get taken off on a stretcher and waiting for an ambulance, over there underneath some shade. It kind of hit me, geez, something could be wrong. It is scary, just all the what-ifs. I went through it and I don’t wish that on anyone.”

Transported to Prince of Wales hospital in Randwick, Foketi met his family – fiancee Mason and kids Huxlee (3) and Zion (1) – and after an MRI the following day, the specialist gave him the good news.

“As soon as those results came, it was a relief and I just thought how can I get back and get strong and fast, and make an impact,” Foketi said.

Coach Darren Coleman said the Waratahs squad were pleased to have the incumbent Wallabies inside centre backon the field.

“He has had a rough trot over the last five weeks. He has shown some resilience,” Coleman said.

On Friday night, the Waratahs also welcome back five-eighth Will Harrison, who is on the bench for the first time since suffering a run of knee injuries that saw him miss two seasons.

Sitting at 1-4, but with the last three defeats by three points or fewer, Coleman said the team had maintained a positive mentality and had displayed their resilient character in a golden-point defeat in Fiji last week. In stifling conditions, the Waratahs came from 16 points down to draw level by full-time.

“At halftime last week, down 26-10 in horrible conditions, we had a real good opportunity to turn it up. Some teams, that ends up 50-10 and you get pumped. So I think that speaks volumes about the character of the boys in the team and the leadership of Jake [Gordon] and ‘Sincs’ [Hugh Sinclair].

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“It’s definitely the first time in my career I have had three losses in a row, like that. The poor old dog has copped a flogging when I get home, I can tell you.”

Coleman said the Waratahs are wary of the under-pressure Rebels, who are not only fighting for their future but have had a habit of troubling NSW.

“They’re going to burst at some point. I know Taniela has been copping a bit of grief around his perfromance but when he decides to flick the switch, it’s hard to handle,” he said. “We understand it is going to be a really tough challenge.”

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