Latu moves south for decisive career step

BREAKTHROUGH: Paula Latu (pictured in 2014) said his days playing for Gisborne Boys’ High School were the “best time ever” under one of his favourite coaches, Tom “Big Daddy” Cairns. Picture by Paul Rickard

RUGBY

GISBORNE’S Paula Latu has made his National Provincial Championship debut starting from the bench for the Southland Stags in a last-minute defeat against Otago.

Latu moved to Invercargill in preparation for pre-season training after receiving a call from the Southland head coach, Dale MacLeod.

He’d previously played club rugby for MAC in Hawke’s Bay and said it was a good feeling to be noticed by out-of-town selectors.

After returning from a two-year mission to El Salvador for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Latu transitioned to playing prop for the first time in his life.

In his high school playing days, he was a blindside flanker, but the move to the front row has paid dividends since returning to New Zealand.

After years of training hard with the goal of earning his place, he said he’s excited to prove himself on the big stage.

“To be honest, I was kind of nervous and excited playing out on TV (sic). I had to get used to it.”

He believed his selection in an NPC club was the coaches realising his potential and he said he’s eager to prove them right.

“I don’t hold back my emotions. It feels amazing.”

As the sixth of 12 children, the Latu family relocated to Gisborne when he was 14. His older brother, Penikolo Latu, is also a professional rugby player, having started for Tonga on the wing against the All Blacks last month.

“He helped me a lot too. I look up to him.”

For now, Latu said his focus is squarely on the ITM cup, taking it “step by step”, but he does have dreams for higher honours.

“My dreams, I can see the bigger picture in my life now, and it all started from Gisborne.”

He said he wants to be a role model for the “young ones trying to get up”, saying that people should take every opportunity that’s given to them.