Wallabies hooker Tolu Latu has been smashed with an 11-week suspension after a red card in the Heineken Champions Cup, and was accused of having a drinking problem by his club owner, continuing his long running issues with ill-discipline.
Latu was sent off in the second half of Stade Francais’ match against Racing 92 after dangerously clattering into Baptiste Chouzenoux in the air.
The ban comes three months after he was banned for a game for abusing referee Wayne Barnes.
European Professional Club Rugby, the organising body responsible for the Cup, said in a statement on Wednesday: “The independent disciplinary committee … considered video imagery of the incident and heard evidence and submissions from the player, who accepted the red card decision.
“The committee upheld the red decision, finding that Latu had committed an intentional act of foul play that warranted a red card. It then determined that the offending was at the top end of World Rugby’s sanctions and 12 weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.
“The committee decided to reduce the sanction by two weeks given the player’s guilty plea and apology, and it also decided to add one week to the sanction due to the player’s poor disciplinary record before imposing an 11-week suspension.”
Latu was picked by Dave Rennie for the final match of the Wallabies Spring Tour late last year, and acknowledged the former Waratahs player had had a “chequered career”.
He was stood down by the Tahs over a drink driving charge in 2019 when police found him motionless behind the wheel of his car while stopped at a set of traffic lights on Cleveland Street in Sydney in the early hours of the morning.
He has also struggled with on-field discipline and was suspended for six weeks during the 2018 Super Rugby campaign – the same year he was sin binned against the All Blacks for pushing Codie Taylor in the face.
Stade Francais owner Hans-Peter Wild, angered by the red card offence, told L’Equipe that Latu is still struggling with alcohol issues.
“We talk about discipline and Latu is still sent off against Racing,” he said.
“Latu is a problem… mostly an extra-sporting problem with alcohol. You have to admit it, otherwise you will never solve the problem.
“Latu spends more time off the field than on it and, with regard to young people, it is not a good example.
“He has to heal himself, reorganise his life. We can help him, but as with any addiction, Latu is like an elephant in your living room. To solve the problem, you have to take out the elephant and not take out the objects that break.”
Melbourne Rebels’ Ray Nu’u has been suspended for three weeks after his red card against Western Force.
SANZAAR ruled the incident “merited a mid-range entry point of 6 weeks due to the World Rugby directive that mandates that any incident of foul play involving contact with the head must start at a mid-range entry level.
“Taking into account mitigating factors, including the Player’s good judicial record, expressed remorse, and young age; the Judicial Committee reduced the suspension by three weeks.”
Nu’u can further reduce the ban by a week if he applies to undergo “Head Contact Process Coaching Intervention,” said SANZAAR.
“Any player who has a citing or red card upheld by a disciplinary panel for foul play involving the Head Contact Process may apply to have the final week of their sanction substituted by undertaking a coaching intervention that specifically addresses the technical tackle/contact technique-error that caused or contributed to the foul play.
“This intervention will be overseen by the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Expert Review Panel – a panel of expert independent coaches – and is only be available to first time offenders.”
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Roar Rookie
Though Izzy Folau was actually quoting the New Testament. That has to be watered down too these days to keep everyone happy
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
In South Africa it would definitely get you into hot water with labour authorities . Cost you some money too . .
Markus
Roar Rookie
I don't agree with this assessment of the incident at all. Latu still running, basically fully upright, zero arms, the only "dip" I see is to throw more weight into his right shoulder. You could potentially argue that he didn't anticipate the jump. But if that was the case his hit would have been ridiculously early (look how high off the ground he is when he takes the ball), and with that action/technique at real risk of a red even if the player had both feet on the ground.
Markus
Roar Rookie
Yes the club owner never said he was an alcoholic, just alluded to a drinking problem. And if multiple drink driving offences, in both Australia and France, does not constitute a problem then I don't know what does. In each case he was determined to have passed out at the wheel, in the French one incident also hitting multiple parked cars in the process. It is only through sheer luck that he hasn't killed anyone.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
I think Latu will long be retired if and when that happens.
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
Has anger issues, too. After he came onto the field in that BC game, Codie Taylor made a crack at him and Latu had to be physically restrained by Kepu (aka pulled him back).Latu better hope Thorn doesn't become the next WBs coach!
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
Irregular for sure. But is it legal to disclose a personal problem like this? I don't think that in the US you can do this.
G money
Roar Rookie
Great point.. I was hoping somebody else noticed this. The tackle was dangerous but I don't think it was premeditated.. it almost happened simultaneously
The Yabbie
Roar Rookie
Good points there just n. Yep we don’t know the full story. All of the three amigos bounced back. Let’s hope Totu dose too
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
And your comment presumes that I was critiquing Latu.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Why call a theoretical, general and arguably accurate, comment, silly, 584? I was making a theoretical comment about the effects of alcohol abuse beyond the period of inebriation. I have no idea what Latu is up to. And did not mention him. I wish him well, and hope for his sake that the president’s comment was incorrect.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Nah . Don’t agree . Nothing gives the employer the right to go public over personal issues of their staff without said consent . If all options have been exercised there is always termination of contract as a last resort . Truth is none of us actually know the details . But some lines should not be crossed and clearly have here . It’s not exactly a unique problem ( alcoholism) and every organization including my own small business has clear protocols in place to deal with them including contractual sub clauses . I think and it’s a fairly widespread perception that the club owners actually believe they own the players too which of course they do not .
The Yabbie
Roar Rookie
Wow Antony you have x- ray vision in hind sight. Such a smart guy. So insightful.
The Yabbie
Roar Rookie
No it’s not jack. To the first point.
The Yabbie
Roar Rookie
These are kids. Kids with money and fame. Like down the other end of the hall from the Buddhist monks. Try manage all and have all the best players at you disposal all of the time. Good luck
The Yabbie
Roar Rookie
Harry they might be frustrated and have reached a point where they don’t care if he offers his resignation. I don’t judge anyone but the judges out there.
The Yabbie
Roar Rookie
Chris to the rescue haha. Who would you have coach big fella? We do not have all the best players at our disposal and we don’t have much money but you would do a better job champ, wouldn’t you. Let’s have a big whinge together.
The Yabbie
Roar Rookie
Chris I can’t tell you how wrong you are because to do so would be in violation of “the roars” COC. I will say this though, some people look at all things being equal and the others just whinge and throw the toys out of the cot.
The Yabbie
Roar Rookie
Chris. He was the best we had when he was selected. You don’t chose someone because of their floors. You do so in spit of.
The Yabbie
Roar Rookie
Just n, if he had issues in oz they would only be exasperated in a foreign country of different language. When an employee is on the last chance you would be forgiven for playing any card that hasn’t been played to salvage the situation.