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Tolu Latu believes he has more to offer Australian rugby, including at this year’s World Cup, but admits he’ll hardly register on Eddie Jones’ radar unless he can convince the Waratahs of his worth.
It was only 18 months ago that Latu started for the Wallabies against Wales in Cardiff.
One of four European-based players to be called up by Dave Rennie on their 2021 Spring Tour, Latu showed what he’s capable of in a fine showing at the Principality.
But consecutive red cards, and another misdemeanour behind the wheel, saw the Wallaby’s three-year stint at Stade Francais come to an end after the club’s owner Hans-Peter Wild delivered a strong message to Latu in his final few weeks in Paris.
“Latu is a problem,” the Frenchman said in an English translated version.
“Above all, he has an extra-sports problem with alcohol. He needs to heal, 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 broken objects. So we have to make a decision about Latu.”
It wasn’t long before Latu’s departure was confirmed, with the hooker saying it was with a “heavy heart” that he was returning to Australia.
When he left Australia at the end of 2019, Latu was in career best form and was one of a few players who excelled at the Japan tournament.
Tolu Latu (c) played a key part in Michael Cheika’s 2019 Wallabies campaign but has a long way to make up if he is to go to a second World Cup. Photo: Dan Mullan/Getty Images
Latu’s on-ball threat and strength at the scrum meant he was Michael Cheika’s first-choice hooker at the 2019 World Cup.
He now has a long way to make up to be picked for a second World Cup campaign, with five hookers ahead of him judging on Jones’ first training camp.
The 30-year-old said living in Paris was something he never thought he would get to experience growing up but was glad to be back in Sydney.
Asked whether the ticking time bomb reputation he had developed was fair, Latu said it was only in his third season at the French glamour club that his discipline had turned.
“If you look at the seasons that I was over there for three years, it wasn’t until the last season that I had problems on the field,” Latu said.
“We play each week and we try to play within the rules and sometimes we push the boundaries a bit too far and get in trouble for that. If that’s the reputation that people want to give me, then that’s up to them.”
As soon as he became a free agent, Rugby Australia was keen to find a way forward for the rake despite some warning that he was too much of a risk.
Latu admitted he spoke to Waratahs officials about staying on the right side of the whistle before re-joining his former side, who he won a Super Rugby title with in 2014 under Cheika.
“Before signing I had a zoom call with [forwards coach] Paul [Taumoepeau], ‘Bladesy’ [general manager Andrew Blades] and chats over message with ‘DC’ [coach Darren Coleman] about that discipline,” Latu said.
“They said they trust me and they want me to keep playing on the edge, but also making sure that there’s no clear brain explosions within those decision-making on the field.”
Tolu Latu says he wants to make a statement in the second half of the Super Rugby competition and has more to give Australian rugby. Photo: Mark Tantrum/Getty Images
While Jones watched Latu dominate for the Waratahs’ ‘B’ side earlier in the year at Daceyville, the hooker has had to bide his time for an opportunity since returning home.
Stuck behind first-choice Wallabies hooker Dave Porecki and Mahe Vailanu, Latu has been limited to just 99 minutes across the opening seven rounds.
It’s an extraordinary low number given a player of Latu’s quality in a side that has struggled, but he believes he can make a late run for a return flight to France if he can get on the field.
“I feel like I have more to give in Australian rugby, but it just comes down to taking opportunities when they come,” he said.
“They can’t really pick you if you’re not playing much rugby, so it’s just when I get opportunities, making the most of it because I feel like I haven’t really made the most of my chances that I’ve got this season. When I do get my opportunities, I’m going to make sure I do take them and play better.”
Latu is set to be given another opportunity on Saturday, with Porecki to miss the match against the Blues after being concussed against the Force.
The strong scrummaging hooker, who is Australia’s best on-ball rake, said the Waratahs had to aim up in defence to stand a chance against Beauden Barrett’s Blues.
“I’ve only played a handful of games at Eden Park and it’s a tough place to win,” he said.
“Australian teams struggle to win over there. But this week, another opportunity to get a win over there.
“We’ve just got to make sure that we take our opportunities when they come, scoring points when they’re on offer and being critical in our execution around our plays, our defence because they’re a really good attacking team.
“If our defence is on, we’ll definitely be proud of that performance because we know that they’re a really strong attacking team, so if we defend our team really good I’m sure we’ll come away with the win.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.