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Waratahs sign Wallabies bad boy Latu

Latu with his head in his hands.

Tolu Latu has been thrown a rugby career lifeline by his former club the NSW Waratahs, who have signed the hooker for the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season.

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The former Wallabies rake, who has played 21 Tests, signed a one-year deal to push his case for national selection ahead of the 2024 Rugby World Cup in France.

Latu had been linked to a return with the Waratahs after being let go by Stade Francais after three seasons.

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The French giants were unhappy with his on-field discipline – given red cards with one resulting in an 11-week ban for a reckless tackle.

The 29-year-old has also been caught drink-driving twice – once in France and once in Australia during his six years with NSW.

Latu played under Darren Coleman with NSW Country Eagles in the National Rugby Championship, with the Waratahs coach describing him as one of the most damaging hookers in world rugby.

“I’ve coached Tolu twice before in NRC and he was always a positive team member,” Coleman said.

“We will be working hard to iron out some of his weaknesses and I believe he’ll not only get swept up in our positive team culture but add to it over time.

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“He’s a proud Waratah champion who is very motivated to play a part in getting the organisation back to its winning ways.”

Latu said he was excited to return home.

“I’m so fortunate to be given the opportunity to represent the Waratahs once again – I can’t wait to get started,” he said.

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Comments

3 Comments
Z
Zac 841 days ago

Go Latu !!!

f
flyinginsectshrimp 842 days ago

Well this should end well 🙄

I
Ian 843 days ago

Reporter, just in case you don’t know, the World Cup is next year 2023 NOT 24 as have stated

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JW 22 minutes ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Where? I remember saying "unders"? The LNR was formed by the FFR, if I said that in a way that meant the 'pro' side of the game didn't have an equal representation/say as the 'amateur' side (FFR remit) that was not my intent.


But also, as it is the governing body, it also has more responsibility. As long as WR looks at FFR as the running body for rugby in France, that 'power' will remain. If the LNR refuses to govern their clubs use of players to enable a request by FFR (from WR) to ensure it's players are able to compete in International rugby takes place they will simply remove their participation. If the players complain to the France's body, either of their health and safety concerns (through playing too many 'minutes' etc) or that they are not allowed to be part in matches of national interest, my understanding is action can be taken against the LNR like it could be any other body/business. I see where you're coming from now re EPCR and the shake up they gave it, yes, that wasn't meant to be a separate statement to say that FFR can threaten them with EPCR expulsion by itself, simply that it would be a strong repercussion for those teams to be removed (no one would want them after the above).


You keep bringing up these other things I cannot understand why. Again, do you think if the LNR were not acting responsibly they would be able to get away with whatever they want (the attitude of these posters saying "they pay the players")? You may deem what theyre doing currently as being irresponsible but most do not. Countries like New Zealand have not even complained about it because they've never had it different, never got things like windfall TV contracts from France, so they can't complain because theyre not missing out on anything. Sure, if the French kept doing things like withholding million dollar game payments, or causing millions of dollars of devaluation in rights, they these things I'm outlining would be taking place. That's not the case currently however, no one here really cares what the French do. It's upto them to sort themselves out if they're not happy. Now, that said, if they did make it obvious to World Rugby that they were never going to send the French side away (like they possibly did stating their intent to exclude 20 targeted players) in July, well then they would simply be given XV fixtures against tier 2 sides during that window and the FFR would need to do things like the 50/50 revenue split to get big teams visiting in Nov.

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