Lalakai Foketi reveals real reason he is departing Australia to join the Chiefs

But for Lalakai Foketi, discomfort is the spark he believes can take his rugby career to a new level.

He’s already played nine Tests for the Wallabies, but the centre is taking his biggest gamble so far by leaving the NSW Waratahs to join the Chiefs in New Zealand.

The 30-year-old must break up the established All Blacks centre pairing of Anton Lienert-Brown and Quinn Tupaea in 2026 to get game-time in Hamilton, but didn’t want an easy path.

“It was never going to be an easy decision, being at the Tahs and contracted to Rugby Australia,” Foketi told Code Sports.

“I could stay comfortable and make excuses. I feel like my rugby hasn’t stuck at where I wanted it to, or got to the level that it needed to be.

“And so I said, ‘What’s going to challenge me, what’s going to get me out of my comfort zone?’

“During the year, me and Dan (McKellar, NSW coach) spoke about whether I wanted to stay and I just said, ‘Look, if there’s an opportunity overseas that gets me nervous, then I’ll probably look to do that.

“What I’ve learned in my short career — and that’s the only reason I’m going — is that’s the only way I’ll get the best out of myself, is if I rock up nervous, and I have something to fight for.”

So Foketi, his wife Mason, and their two children, daughter Huxlee and son Zion, flew to New Zealand on Saturday to begin the next chapter.

He played for the Wallabies at the 2023 World Cup, and hopes he can represent them at the next one in Australia in 2027.

It was thought James O’Connor’s Test career was finished by the time he signed a deal to join the Crusaders.

The playmaker went on to help them win the 2025 Super Rugby title – against the Chiefs in the final – before earning a stunning recall to the Australian team.

Foketi said: “Everyone’s looking at it like I’m trying to replicate Rabs (O’Connor) but to be honest, I made that decision based on myself and my footy.

“I know it’s going to get the best out of me, but then also it’s hard not to look at that and go, ‘Okay, maybe that could possibly happen’.

“Who knows? I’ve still got ambitions to play at the highest level, so I guess that was the decision based around it.”

But nothing is guaranteed, and Foketi is only signed to a one-year deal with the Chiefs.

“If I’ve got no food to put on the table the following year for my family, then I’ve got to do something to make sure that happens,” Foketi said.

“I still feel like I’ve got a lot to still give, and I feel like I haven’t even hit my straps or had a season where I’ve got sat down after it and gone, ‘Far out, how good was that?’

“I think this is going to get the best out of me. I’m out of my comfort zone.

“I look at the way the Chiefs play rugby and I feel like it’s just free-flowing, doing the simple things, skilful, they love to back themselves. And to be honest, I feel like that’s when I play great footy, when I can go into a team like that and contribute somehow.”

The move also represents a significant “full circle moment” for Foketi, who was born and raised in Hamilton and still has his mother and other relatives residing in the area.

While the family support will be welcomed, Foketi is approaching next season with a hardened mindset.

“This is it, I might as well go out swinging,” he said.

“It’s backs against the wall, so I’ve only got two options really.

“Like I said before, security is great from one point, but then you get too comfortable, me especially.

“I’m coming up against great players, not only in New Zealand but also in my team. So why not go for it?

“I don’t have very long, no one does in this game. I’m just excited for what could be, and hopefully what will be.”