Chicken Shop Date: Foketi reflects on World Cup call, French 'rollercoaster'

Lalakai Foketi is ready to take his opportunity against France, having reflected on his World Cup call-up over a roast chicken with family.

The 28-year-old was not used by coach Eddie Jones during the Rugby Championship, adding more nerves to that eventual phone call about his World Cup dreams.

It came at the perfect time, able to soak in the moment with his family and father, who had snuck away from work as a floor sander to celebrate his call-up.

"I was in the car with my partner and the kids. We were off to go see my dad, he was on break at work at the chicken shop so got out of the car and got the phone call from Webby (team manager Chris Webb) which was special," he told reporters

"I took a couple of minutes there to myself just to reflect on what that phone call meant. Having my family there and then seeing my dad straightaway was special and it kind of sunk in there because we've just finished the TRC and then had training hubs. The boys that day were a bit nervous waiting for that phone call.

"(Dad) snuck out of work because I hadn’t seen him for a while so shout out to Freshie Chicken shop down there in Manly. We were there and grabbed a feed together and let the kids run around. It was a special moment because I just got told I was going to my first World Cup and so we just sat there and chatted about what it took to get there.

"...To get that call and to be surrounded by my family, it was special."

In a full circle moment, Foketi will likely start against the hosts on Monday (AEST time) in place of Samu Kerevi (hand), nearly nine months since his last appearance in the gold jersey against Les Bleus.

It was a wild night for the Waratah, finishing off one of the tries of the year before a shin injury five minutes later ended his Spring Tour early.

"Looking back on it, it was a bit surreal playing that game and running out in that stadium," he reflects.

"Getting that try and all those emotions were really high and then the injury struck. It just changed. The boys flew off to Italy the next day and I had to fly home. It was bittersweet.

"I love being around this group and playing. 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."