NEW TITAN CHASING A PEATS-ESQUE REBOUND
LEILANI Latu is striving to emulate new Titans teammate Nathan Peats in making the best of a bad spot.
Peats was forced out of Parramatta when the club’s salary cap scandal struck during 2016, with the hooker hurriedly finding a new home on the Gold Coast.
The 27-year-old has since taken his game to a new level, establishing himself as NSW’s frontline rake.
Latu arrived at the Titans in similar circumstances. He was locked in with Penrith until 2020 but was sacrificed when salary cap complications relating to James Maloney’s recruitment surfaced.
“At first it was hard to swallow,” he admitted.
Latu linked with Garth Brennan, with whom his connection dates back to playing under-18 Origin for NSW. He landed on the Coast last Wednesday and a day later was working up a sweat training at Parkwood.
The skilful prop is determined to follow Peats’ career trajectory and hit new heights under Brennan.
“He (Brennan) has got the personality of being very open with all of us and that type of vulnerability instils in us a lot of trust,” he said.
“Brenno knows how to get the best out of everyone and I know he’ll get the best out of me coming up here. “It’s a great opportunity for me to put my name forward.”
A devoted churchgoer, Latu is fired up after missing Tonga’s breakthrough World Cup campaign due to a broken jaw suffered in July.
“I’ve learnt not to dwell on the negatives,” he said.
“I was very proud of the Tongan culture that was displayed across all of the TV and around the world.”