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'I'm disappointed with my actions' - Wallabies hooker Latu stood down by Waratahs

Waratahs hooker Tolu Latu. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

Waratahs and Wallabies hooker Tolu Latu has been stood down by his Super Rugby club until a court appearance for alleged drink driving.

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Latu will also be subject to a Rugby Australia code of conduct process, pending the outcome of his court appearance on June 6.

“I’m disappointed with my actions, because I recognise the seriousness of this situation,” Latu said on Tuesday.

“I want to apologise to my teammates and New South Wales Rugby Union. I also want to apologise to the rugby community, I know that my actions do not reflect well on the game.

“I take full responsibility for what has happened, and I will accept any potential sanctions from my court case.

“I also recognise I should have spoken to the coach earlier.”

Reports in The Daily Telegraph on Saturday alleged Latu was found asleep behind the wheel of a car with a blood alcohol level of 0.135 last Thursday.

Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson said on he wasn’t aware of the incident until the media outlet contacted him at “lunchtime” on Saturday, just hours before they were due to play the Queensland Reds in Brisbane.

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Latu came on midway through the second half and had a hand in several key moments as the visitors prevailed 40-32.

On Monday he met with Rugby Australia’s Integrity Unit and the Rugby Union Players’ Association.

“Tolu’s actions are a serious breach of the standards we set for the players, coaches and staff both on and off the field,” NSW Rugby Union CEO Andrew Hore said on Tuesday.

“He is regretful of his actions and has taken full responsibility and NSW Waratahs will provide him with the necessary support and further education.

“We expressed our disappointment in the manner which we were notified of this issue as we expect our players to be open and honest with our wider team.”

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Nickers 38 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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