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 name	Silalotu Latu
Date of birth	(1993-02-23) 23 February 1993 (age 32)
Place of birth	Nukuʻalofa, Tonga
Height	1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Weight	123 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]