Tahs' Latu pleads guilty to drink driving, could still play this week
The Waratahs will make a decision on Thursday afternoon regarding the availability of Tolu Latu for this Saturday’s match against the Brumbies after the NSW hooker pleaded guilty to a drink driving charge.
Latu’s sentencing has been adjourned until June 14 - the date of the Waratahs’ final match of the Super Rugby regular season - after he pleaded guilty on Thursday morning to a mid-range drink driving charge.
Latu - who also pleaded guilty to a charge of driving without a licence - did not tell the Waratahs or Rugby Australia he had been charged. News of the incident broke just hours before the Waratahs faced the Queensland Reds in Brisbane on May 18.
Latu played in the match off the bench but has not featured in a sky blue jersey since after being stood down until further notice.
The hooker was named on the Waratahs bench for their must-win clash but coach Daryl Gibson said a decision would be made later on Thursday, after consultation with RA, whether Latu would be available to face the Brumbies at Bankwest Stadium.
He trained on Thursday morning with the team.
“We’ve bracketed Tolu and we will await the outcome of his hearing today and see where we get to on that,” Gibson said. “We’re just seeing what his lawyers advise us around the next steps. We are keen for him to take his place this weekend and get some games for us.
“He’s served his two-match suspension, he’s taken his drink driver education courses, he’s sought counselling, so he’s making all the steps necessary in our view to make a successful rehabilitation.
“It would be an excellent boost [if he did play]. He hasn’t played a great deal of rugby due to a suspension so we’re keen to give him that opportunity bearing in mind there is a World Cup coming up.”
After initially being invited to a recent Wallabies camp, Latu was told not to bother showing up, leaving his World Cup dreams in tatters.
Latu was suspended for six weeks earlier in the year for an act of foul play against the Sunwolves and copped an injury in his comeback match against the Sharks.
Despite featuring in eight Tests last year and being the incumbent Wallabies hooker for their final match of the year against England, his international future, at least in the short term, is very unclear.