Paula Latu

Paula Latu (born 14 February 1996) is a Tongan rugby union player, who currently plays as a prop for Dragons RFC in the United Rugby Championship and European Rugby Challenge Cup.^[1] He previously played for Southland in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition.^[2] He has represented Tonga internationally.^[3]

Paula Latu

Judgement Day 2025
Full name	Paula F. Latu
Date of birth	(1996-02-14) 14 February 1996 (age 29)
Place of birth	Tonga
Height	187 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight	123 kg (271 lb; 19 st 5 lb)
School	Gisborne Boys' High School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Prop Current team Dragons Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2021–2022, 2024 Southland 19 (5) 2024– Dragons 7 (5) Correct as of 27 March 2025 International career Years Team Apps (Points) 2023– Tonga 5 (0) Correct as of 27 March 2025

One of 12 siblings, Latu hails from the village of Mataika and is an elder brother of New Zealand under-20s and Tonga international Penikolo Latu, moving with his family at age 14 to New Zealand. He attended Gisborne Boys' High School.^[4]

A tighthead prop with Southland, Latu gained his first cap for Tonga against Canada in Nukuʻalofa in 2023 and made Toutai Kefu's squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, where he appeared in the final group match against Romania.^[5][6]

In December 2024, he signed a short-term deal with Welsh club Dragons as injury cover for Leon Brown.^[1]

See also

• List of Tonga national rugby union players