Spanish-speaking Tongan prop Paula Latu has earned the chance to make his Super Rugby Pacific debut off the bench, when Moana Pasifika host the Highlanders at North Harbour Stadium on Friday night.
The 30-year-old is one of 12 siblings and hails from the village of Mataika. He moved with his family to New Zealand at age 14 and attended Gisborne Boys’ High School. Latu served his Mormon mission in El Salvador and Guatemala in South America.
He was part of the 2023 Tongan Rugby World Cup squad and appeared in their final pool match against Romania. Latu has connections with many of the Highlanders players, being part of the Southland Stags team since 2021. In that year, he won the Stags Rookie of the Year and Supporters Club’s Most Promising Player Award.
Other changes to this week’s team include Abraham Pole, Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, Veikoso Poloniati and Dominic Ropeti being named in the starting lineup. While veterans Jackson Garden-Bachop and Solomon Alaimalo re-join the starting backline.
Samiuela Moli, Malakai Hala-Ngatai, Alefosio Aho and Ola Tauelangi will bring energy off the bench.
Tevita Ofa who is also on the bench this week, has scored a try in two of his last three Super Rugby Pacific games. He has also made nine line breaks across his last six appearances including two in each of his last two games.
Joel Lam gets another start at halfback, after a breakout few weeks in a Moana jersey. He is currently first equal with the Waratahs’ Sid Harvey, for Super Rugby Pacific Rookie of the Year Votes. He made 13 tackles, beat five defenders and scored a try in last week’s match against the Crusaders.
After not having a Super Rugby contract last year, Lam has been a standout for Moana over the last three weeks. He has seamlessly fit in to the starting halfback position, stepping up after injuries to experienced playmakers Jonathan Taumateine and Melani Matavao.
Starting XV
1. Abraham Pole
2. Millennium Sanerivi
3. Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou
4. Veikoso Poloniati
5. Allan Craig
6. Miracle Faiilagi (c)
7. Niko Jones
8. Dominic Ropeti
9. Joel Lam
10. Jackson Garden-Bachop
11. Glen Vaihu
12. Lalomilo Lalomilo
13. Tevita Latu
14. Solomon Alaimalo
15. William Havili
Impact
16. Samiuela Moli
17. Malakai Hala-Ngatai
18. Paula Latu *DEBUT
19. Alefosio Aho
20. Ola Tauelangi
21. Siaosi Nginingini
22. Patrick Pellegrini
23. Tevita Ofa
Unavailable Due To Injury: Julian Savea (shoulder), Lolani Faleiva (shoulder), Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa (head knock), Tito Tuipulotu (thumb), Tom Savage (head knock), Tupou Afungia (neck).
ENDS
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