Wallaby hooker faces jail time
NEWS: Wallabies hooker Tolu Latu has pleaded guilty to drink driving without a valid licence two days before a vital clash between his NSW Waratahs team and the Queensland Reds.
Latu, who has played 12 Tests for the Wallabies, appeared in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday and admitted both offences, according to court documents.
Two days later, the 110-kilogram hooker played off the Waratahs bench as they defeated the Reds 40-32 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
READ: FOLAU SUES RUGBY AUSTRALIA FOR MILLIONS
Rugby Australia and the NSW Rugby Union only found out about the incident on the day of the game after being contacted by a Sydney news organisation.
Latu, who was later stood down from playing pending the court outcome, took full responsibility for the incident days after it happened.
In a statement issued by NSWRU, he apologised to teammates and the rugby community.
“I’m disappointed with my actions because I recognise the seriousness of this situation,” he said at the time.
READ: FOLAU’S BROTHER JOHN QUITS WARATAHS
Latu is due to be sentenced on June 14.
If convicted for the mid-range drink driving offence, Latu faces a maximum penalty of nine months in prison, a fine of AUS$2220 and a lengthy licence suspension.
*Meanwhile Waratahs head coach Daryl Gibson has gone all out in pursuit of a place in the Super Rugby Finals naming an unchanged starting XV to face the Brumbies at Bankwest Stadium.
With two games left in the regular season, nothing short of two wins will propel the Waratahs into finals contention – starting with the Brumbies on Saturday evening.
The two teams will battle it out for the Dan Vickerman Cup – honouring the memory of the former-Wallaby – in what will no doubt be a hotly contested fixture.
After incurring a head knock against the Rebels, Ned Hanigan has failed his concussion protocol and will be replaced by Tom Staniforth in the matchday squad, while Latu could has been named on the bench pending approval of his return from suspension.
New recruit Tuatalatasi Tasi has also been named on the bench, after signing an injury cover contract to replace Karmichael Hunt.
Waratahs: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Alex Newsome, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Lalakai Foketi, 11 Curtis Rona, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Michael Wells, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Lachlan Swinton, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Tom Staniforth, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Damien Fitzpatrick, 1 Tom Robertson.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Tuala/Tolu Latu, 17 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 18 Chris Talakai, 19 Jed Holloway, 20 Will Miller, 21 Jake Gordon, 22 Tuatalatasi Tasi, 23 Cameron Clark.
Date: Saturday, June 8
Venue: Bankwest Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 19.45 (09.45 GMT)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Mike Fraser (New Zealand), Jordan Way (Australia)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)
