By Pete Fairbairn

How’s this for a stat? Of the 28 players who represented Australia at the 2012 World Rugby U20s Championship in South Africa, every single one has since played Rugby to at least a semi-professional level. That’s right; the bare minimum level reached by those in the squad is the Buildcorp National Rugby Championship (NRC).

There’s multiple Super Rugby stars, with each of the five Australian franchises represented, Australian Rugby Sevens representatives and even a trio of Wallabies; Liam Gill, Sean McMahon and Chris Feauai-Sautia.

And then there’s the Wallabies-in-waiting; players who’ve been involved in Wallaby camps, and will be looking to make the next step in 2016. Guys like Kyle Godwin, and today’s interview subject; Silatolu (Tolu) Latu.

“We had a good team in 2012, and unfortunately we just couldn’t get the results at the World Championships,” Latu tells me when I ask him to cast his mind back. “There was so much individual talent within the squad and it’s not surprising to see that everybody has gone on to achieve so much and further their Rugby careers within the NRC and Super Rugby.”

On the flipside, looking through the 2013 Australian U20s team that Latu was also involved in shows significantly less players who have made Rugby their livelihood, and while there will be plenty who still retain hopes of making that step up it’s a clear reminder that not all Rugby dreams follow the script.

“It’s definitely surprises me that not as many players from the 2013 team have gone on to make a living out of Rugby, as that was a really good squad too,” Latu says. “It shows that things don’t always pan out the way you think they will; it’s really tough trying to get a contract straight out of the Under 20s program and you have to work so hard if you do manage to get a call up to a franchise.

“That’s why it is really important to have a plan for life away from Rugby because it can be quite a short career path if are fortunate enough to do it for a living; it’s important to be ready to transition from Rugby into whatever it is you want to do next.”

22 year old Tongan-born Latu has made 28 Super Rugby appearances in his two seasons with the Waratahs thus far, and has recently re-signed for the next three seasons where he will compete for the starting hooker’s spot with Tatafu Polota-Nau and Hugh Roach.

However he will still use the 2016 season to begin planning for his life when Rugby comes to an end.

“I am looking to start studying youth social work, and RUPA has been able to help me massively in preparing for that,” he says. “Lachie McBain, who is our Player Development Manager and RUPA’s representative at the Waratahs, has been working with me to find the right course and to push me along and make sure I stay on track.”

Latu came close to making his debut for Australia when he was called up to the Wallabies’ squad in 2014, but broke his arm playing in the Shute Shield just a few days later and is yet to have another chance. With six capped Wallaby hookers currently playing in Australia (Tatafu Polota-Nau, Stephen Moore, James Hanson, Nathan Charles, Saia Fainga’a and Josh Mann-Rea), the challenge to get back in there is a big one but one he appears more than capable of achieving.

Tolu won the Chris Whitaker Aspiring Waratah Medal as the most promising young ‘Tah in 2015 and will be looking forward to this year’s Super Rugby campaign and the chance to hit back from the Semi Final loss to the eventual champion Highlanders at Allianz Stadium which ended their season.

2012 Australia U20s – Where Are They Now:

• Allan Alaalatoa – Brumbies
• Curtis Browning – Reds
• Lindsay Crook – University of Cincinnati (former Australian Rugby Sevens)
• Steven Cummins – Rebels
• Thomas Cusack – Australian Rugby Sevens
• James Dargaville – Brumbies
• Allan Fa’alava’au – Australian Rugby Sevens
• Christopher Feauai-Sautia – Reds, Wallabies
• Con Foley – Australian Rugby Sevens
• Nicholas Frisby – Reds
• Liam Gill – Reds, Wallabies
• Kyle Godwin – Western Force
• Malietoa Hingano – La Rochelle (France)
• Lewis Holland – Australian Rugby Sevens
• Jed Holloway – Waratahs
• Oliver Hoskins – Western Force
• Sam Jeffries – Rebels
• Silatolu Latu – Waratahs
• Apolosi Latunipulu – Greater Sydney Rams
• Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin – Brumbies
• Matthew Lucas – Waratahs
• Sean McMahon – Rebels, Wallabies
• Benn Melrose – Sydney Stars
• Maile Ngauamo – Greater Sydney Rams
• Pettowa Paraka – Reds
• Sam Reiser – Queensland Country
• Hugh Roach – Waratahs
• Ulupano (UJ) Seuteni – Toulon (France)

This article was provided by RUPA, the Rugby Union Players’ Association in Australia. For more information head to www.rupa.com.au