The head coach of New South Wales Waratahs, Darren Coleman, announced on Friday that Lalakai Foketi, a Wallabies centre, had escaped major spinal damage after a serious injury during training. However, Coleman expressed concerns that the 29-year-old’s career may still be in jeopardy.
Foketi, known for his powerful play, received extensive medical attention at the Waratahs’ training facility on Thursday before being transported to the hospital for scans.
Coleman informed reporters, “The CT scan results were positive. He underwent the scan yesterday, and it revealed no significant spinal damage or vertebral fractures.”
He added, “He still needs to remain under observation a little longer to undergo an MRI. This will help determine any soft-tissue damage to the ligaments and if there has been any bleeding around the spinal cord.”
Coleman remarked, “He’s not out of the woods yet, but the initial news is quite positive, indicating that there won’t be any permanent or debilitating damage.”
The coach mentioned that Foketi is scheduled for an MRI scan on Friday and hopes that he will be able to wear a neck brace and be released from the hospital the same day. Foketi is eager to return home and start his road to recovery, Coleman stated.
“I really hope for La’s sake that it’s not a career-threatening thing, but if there’s instability in that area, risk and reward needs to be taken into consideration,” Coleman said.
As a result of Foketi’s injury, 19-year-old Max Jorgensen will take his place in the starting lineup for Saturday’s Super Rugby Pacific round one match against the Queensland Reds. Jorgensen, a young talent returning from injury, will play at fullback, with Joey Walton moving up to replace Foketi at inside centre.
(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, editing by Peter Rutherford)
