The 22-year-old Waratahs hooker is a hammie or two away from a start for the Wallabies in this year's Rugby World Cup.

Tola-1 (Photo by Getty Images.)

WHAT'S HIS STORY?

Tolu Latu was born in Tonga and grew up in Sydney, ending up with Canterbury in the middle of league land. But instead of the Bulldogs, Canterbury RU got hold of the lad and quickly realised they had a live one. Word passed to Sydney University Football Club and the young man was brought into Colts. But the Under-20s couldn’t hold him. “He was identified early as

being talented,” says Uni head coach Chris Malone. “Like a lot of kids who grew up out west, he had to travel a lot. He’d commute in most days to train. He deserves all the opportunity he’s got. It’s not easy to travel all that way every day.”

Malone first met Latu in 2011 when Uni played the lad in reserve grade at loose-head prop. “He was still Colts-eligible and was the most dominant player on the field,” says Malone. “And nearly every single game I’ve seen him play he’s been dominant. It was only a matter of time before he showcased his talents in first grade. Every step up from juniors to Colts to grade and upwards to the Waratahs, nothing’s been too much for him.”

While he’s a lot fitter today under the Waratahs' professional regime, there was a time Latu could appear to be out on his feet. Yet come the 79th minute he’d be the one making the cover tackle and stealing the ball. “He’s just a very talented footballer and a good kid,” says Malone.

WHO'S HE LIKE?

The obvious comparison is Tatafu “Taf” Polota-Nau. Malone doesn’t diverge from that. “It stands up,” he says. “Tolu is busy in the game like Taf. And he clearly was a fan of Taf’s growing up, given their similar tackling style. Tolu’s been in trouble with broken arms, that sort of thing.”

Like Polota-Nau, Latu is multi-talented for a hooker. Malone says Latu’s qualities run deep. “He’s got heart, he’s a very tough bugger; he can play through pain. He’s aggressive, committed. He’s got great ball skills. He’s built low to the ground, he can move, step off both feet. He reads the game, understands it. He’s explosive, ballistic. He’s just a talented footballer, a natural. And he’s got a very hard head.”

One of Malone’s favourite plays at Uni saw Latu and fellow Tongan front-rower Sam Talakai standing at No.10 and No.12, attacking off a five-man lineout, the biggest playmakers in the world. Malone also remembers a “ridiculous” try Latu scored in the 2013 grand final against Eastwood in which he stood up Lachie McCaffrey during a 30-metre dash to the line. “His footwork was incredible in that grand final; he bamboozled McCaffrey,” says Malone. “He’d been standing out on the wing sucking in the big ones, the ball came his way, then bang.”

Might we include a Sean Fitzpatrick reference? We might, according to Malone. “He’s no seagull, though. He’s a worker. But he reads space, so in that sense he’s like Fitzpatrick. That particular try was off turnover ball and he was alert to the game. So in that sort of way you could compare him to Fitzpatrick. But he’s more dynamic than Fitzy.”

WHAT DO THEY SAY?

“He’s got to be in the mix [after Stephen Moore and Tatafu Polota-Nau for a World Cup berth]. He’s the starting hooker for his province. If he continues this progression, this upward trajectory, it’s a matter of time before he plays for Australia.” – Chris Malone

Tola-2 (Photo by Getty Images)