He later moved to England, where he spent four seasons with Wakefield Trinity, but made headlines in 2007 after copping a six-match ban for racism.
The 34-year-old called opposition player Kevin Penny a "n*****" during a game against Warrington but told English media he was not a racist.
"It all happened so quickly and the words just came out," Latu said at the time. "I'm no racist - I'm the same colour anyway."
More recently, the rugby league veteran plied his talents with Pt Chevalier Pirates, whom he helped to a Fox Memorial grand final win a month before the alleged drink-driving incident.
Latu will be back in court next month when he will be required to enter a plea.
Driving with excess breath alcohol usually attracts a driving ban of at least six months along with a fine.
