Born in Tonga on 23 February 1993, Tolu Latu attended school at Sydney’s Botany Bay Primary. With a strong interest in youth work, Latu is an only child, which is quite rare in Pasifika cultures where big families are common.
Latu’s rugby began with the Canterbury juniors where he started as a back. He then moved to the centres before settling in as a forward, where he still plays now, after conceding he wasn’t going to grow any taller or faster.
A student at South Sydney High, the NSW Waratahs hooker joined the likes of Liam Gill, Sean McMahon and Kyle Godwin as a representative in the Australian Under 20s squad in 2012.
Latu attended RUPA’s Induction Camp as a rookie in 2013. Earlier that year, he had made a solid contribution to Sydney Uni’s Shute Shield title win against Eastwood, scoring a try in his first first-grade Grand Final. He recollects it as one of his greatest rugby moments so far.
Impressed by his potential, he was named by Coach, Michael Cheika to join the Waratahs.
After making his Super Rugby debut in round one of the 2014 season, Latu appeared 14 times for the the Tahs in their first Championship season, juggling much of his training with midnight to 11am shifts driving forklifts at Flemington Markets.
Having already made four appearances so far in this year’s Super Rugby season, Latu has become a strong support for the Waratahs.
With Polota-Nau ruled out due to injury, Latu was recently called up to make his starting debut in the number 2 jersey in round six against the Brumbies at the weekend. His performance in the Tahs’ victory bringing his dream of playing for the Wallabies at the Rugby World Cup perhaps a little closer to reality as he crossed for his first Super Rugby try.
Big prospects await the 22 year old who has credited Waratahs’ senior players, including Sekope Kepu and Tatafu Polota-Nau, for their guidance.
