Photo: Stefano Delfrate / CC BY-SA 2.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)

Nili Latu

ニリ・ラトゥ　/　にり・らとぅ

American rugby union player

February 19, 1982 (age 44)　・　Tonga, United States

rugby union player

My Take

There is a wanderer's romance to Nili Latu that I find irresistible. With Tongan roots and the real name Otenili Langilangi, he launched his rugby in New Zealand, helped Newcastle Falcons to their best Premiership finish in two decades, and eventually carried his game to Japan. A globe-spanning forward who threw his body into the breach wherever he landed, he is the embodiment of the unglamorous grunt work that wins matches. I admire athletes who cross borders and leagues without losing their edge, and his restless, hard-nosed career chasing the oval ball worldwide earns my quiet, sincere applause.

Overview

Nili Latu, playing name of Otenili Langilangi (born 19 February 1982) is a Tongan rugby union footballer. In 2018, Latu left Newcastle Falcons after helping Falcons achieve 4th in the Aviva Premiership, the highest finish in 20 years. He moved to Japan to continue playing rugby. Latu started his rugby at Bay of Plenty in the Air New Zealand Cup. He made his debut for the Chiefs in 2005 in a match against the Sharks.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

1. Profile

Name (English): Nili Latu
Name (Japanese): ニリ・ラトゥ
Reading: にり・らとぅ
Born: February 19, 1982 (age 44)
Zodiac / Chinese zodiac: Pisces / Dog
Origin: Tonga, United States
Blood type: Private
Height: 183 cm
Agency: Private
Occupation: rugby union player

2. Background

Elementary school: Private
Junior high: Private
High school: Private
University: Private

3. Relationships

Spouse: Private
Children: Private
Parents: Private
Siblings: Private

4. Personality

Motto

Private

6. Links

Wikipedia (Japanese)https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%8B%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BB%E3%83%A9%E3%83%88%E3%82%A5

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