Tolu Latu

Silalotu Latu (born 23 February 1993) is a Tongan-born Australian Rugby Union player who currently is a hooker for the New South Wales Waratahs in Super Rugby.[1][2]

Tolu Latu
Full nameSilalotu Latu
Date of birth (1993-02-23) 23 February 1993
Place of birthNukuʻalofa, Tonga
Height1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Weight123 kg (271 lb)
Notable relative(s)Lotu Taukeiaho (cousin)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Hooker
Current team Stade Français
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2013–2018 Sydney University 15 (20)
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2014–2019 Waratahs 31 (5)
2014−2016 Sydney Stars 6 (0)
2016–2019 NSW Country Eagles 9 (10)
2019–2022 Stade Francais 54 (30)
2023 Waratahs 7 (0)
2023– Montpellier 2 (0)
Correct as of 10 July 2023
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2012–2013 Australia U20 9 (10)
2016–2021 Australia 21 (10)
Correct as of 2 July 2022

Career

Latu plays Shute Shield rugby for Sydney University and was a member of the premiership-winning side in 2013. His performances there caught the eye of the New South Wales Waratahs who signed him up ahead of the 2014 Super Rugby season.[3][4] Tolu Latu represented the Sydney East Primary Schools Sports Association at the State Championships in 2005.

International career

Latu was a member of the Australia Under 20 side that competed in the 2012 and 2013 IRB Junior World Championships.[5][6][7]

Latu made his debut for Australia against Wales in 2016.[8] and played at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, but the Wallabies lost to England in the quarter finals, thus knocking them out.[9]

In 2021, Latu was called up to play in the 2021 end-of-year rugby tests, under a new Giteau's law tweak that allowed up to three players from overseas to appear.[10] He was called up alongside former players Will Skelton, Kurtley Beale[11] and Rory Arnold.[12]

References
  1. "Tolu Latu Waratahs Player Profile". Waratahs Rugby. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  2. "Tolu Latu itsrugby.co.uk Player Statistics". itsrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  3. "Waratahs sign winger and hooker". ESPN Scrum. 20 September 2013. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  4. "Forklift driver Tolu Latu to push NSW Waratahs hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau after signing on for 2014". Courier Mail. 20 September 2013. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  5. "Tolu Latu Australia Under 20 Player Profile". Rugby Australia. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  6. "Curtis Browning to lead Australia's IRB JWC 2013 challenge". Kerikeri rugby. 19 April 2013. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  7. "Tolu Latu IRB JWC Player Profile". IRB.com. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  8. Newman, Beth (6 November 2016). "This one's for you mum, says Latu after Wallabies debut | Latest Rugby News | RUGBY.com.au". www.rugby.com.au. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  9. Decent, Tom (20 October 2019). "'Gutted': Wallabies struggle for words following World Cup exit". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  10. Williamson, Nathan (8 October 2021). "Overseas trio called up as Wallabies name squad for Spring Tour | Latest Rugby News | Wallabies Rugby". wallabies.rugby. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  11. "Supersize me: Wallabies giants to be recalled for spring tour as Beale call made". Fox Sports. 7 October 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  12. "Going for broke: Rennie gets his way as six overseas stars named for Wallabies' spring tour". Fox Sports. 8 October 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
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