A month of high-drama has failed to subside for the New South Wales Waratahs, with hooker Tolu Latu stood down pending his court appearance for drink driving.
Latu was charged on the weekend with drink driving and will appear in court over the matter on Thursday, June 6.
He will still be subject to a code of conduct hearing after the court case, however.
NSW Rugby Union’s full statement reads as follows.
NSW Rugby Union has stood down Tolu Latu until his court appearance on the 6th June 2019, after yesterday meeting with Rugby Australia Integrity Unit and RUPA in relation to a drink driving offence.
He will be subject to a Rugby Australia Code of Conduct process, pending the outcome of the court hearing.
NSW Rugby Union CEO, Andrew Hore, said the organisation was extremely disappointed in Latu’s action but will support the 26-year-old.
“Tolu’s actions are a serious breach of the standards we set for the players, coaches and staff both on and off the field,” said Hore.
“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,” he said.
Tolu Latu said: “I’m disappointed with my actions, because I recognise the seriousness of this situation.
“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.
“I will accept the support from the NSW Waratahs, RUPA and my own support networks to ensure that I don’t find myself in this position again,” he said.
As the matter is pending a court case, no further comment will be made at this point in time.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
Dare I say it Bobby, some might consider he will be heading for hell if he doesn't repent!!
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
The camp invites a wide group. I think there would not be many who haven’t played for the wallabies in the last 2 or 3 seasons that are not invited to the camps. That said, with only 3 hookers possible to be selected. Latu should be down on that list.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Jez in that case dare I say it’s impossible, not to think the worst!
awa
Roar Rookie
This used to be the procedure for anyone caught D.I.C in the NZ govt dept I worked for. Drunken driving, and you were gone,, untill a senior manager got pinged. Then the dept policy got changed.
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
'It’s not uncommon for somebody to lose their job over something like this' Give examples
moaman
Roar Guru
Waiting for those lights to turn green can seem like an age sometimes!
jeznez
Roar Guru
I agree that the law seems harsh that I believe you can be asleep in the back and still get done if you have the keys with you. Latu was apparently asleep in the drivers seat at a set of traffic lights. Not sure if keys were in the ignition or not.
moaman
Roar Guru
I don't condone drink-driving but I do think you should be able to sleep it off in your car without incurring a drink driving offence. Perhaps if Latu was asleep on the backseat with the keys in his pocket it would have been permissible---idk?
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Did Folau?
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
So ok to wilfully offence a logically expressed commentator (rather than take issue with her or his comment) provided does not denigrate on basis of race etc?
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Neutral Think you have other way round. RA may currently being advised if do not terminate Latu, that they will be scoring a try right under the posts for wrong team. Most citizens get that you can kill people driving drunk. Few are aware tweeting... KP
CUW
Roar Rookie
Im wondering how the Waratah's management missed this. Do they take off the mobile phones from team - like they do in cricket on a match day? the news was broken very early. surely some one will have noticed it before the match ?
Paulo
Roar Rookie
There have been a number of posts you seem to have not read or understood before commenting on, so I felt it was a fair question. I don’t consider not having English as your first language a bad thing, but if you do, then I do hope you weren’t offended.
Tander
Guest
It was your very own post that said "to be fair he wasnt driving" So I just stated what the charge actually is. The charge has nothing to do with drink "driving" I did not criticize, I did not denigrate and I did not personally attack any one yet you question where i am from and what language I speak. Ciao, Sayonara, le, totseins, Wohlwollen, Goodbye
Lux Interior
Roar Rookie
Certainly have Terrence, many, many times. Even more times driving stoned. But this is a different era and it's a good thing.
elvis
Roar Rookie
Of course you can. It depends on whether he actually drove the car or not.
Zado
Guest
Machooka Cheika loves those aggressive types in his team. Latu will be first picked hooker for the Wallabies.
Matt
Guest
Chekko the Clown will still select Latu for the RWC. Lock in other Tahs HJH TPN Phipps Robertson Foley Kepu AAC Hunt Beale Hooper Gordon Dempsey Hanigan Simmons Wells and Clark
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
He should never have been in the Wallaby camp in the first place. Can't get a run on in NSW, a team which is barely performing this year and yet somehow walks into Camp Wallaby? How's that selection panel working out? Every indication right now is more of the same in 2019.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Tander, is English your first language, I’m genuinely curious as you keep not really reading posts very well. “I don’t mean to mitigate what he was doing” Clearly I am not trying to down play the charge. I was making the distinction from ‘asleep at the wheel’ which implies falling asleep while actually in motion, which I believe he wasn’t.