Sinali Latu (born in Tonga in 1965) is a retired Tongan-Japanese rugby union player.[1] He played in Japan for Sanyo and also played for the Japan national rugby union team.[1] Now he coaches the Daito Bunka University rugby team. Since he acquired the Japanese citizenship, he changed his full name to William Sinali Latu (ăƒ©ăƒˆă‚„ ォィăƒȘă‚ąăƒ ćż—ć—ćˆ©, Ratu Uiriamu Shinari).[2] He is the founder of the non-profit organisation Japan-Tonga Friendship Association.[3] He was nicknamed "Bill" (ăƒ“ăƒ«) during his playing career in Japan.[4]

Viliami Sinali Latu played for Tonga's national side while attending Tonga College at the age of 19. He moved to study and play in Japan with a Tonga College school mate, Uatesoni Namoa. Latu played for Japan at three World Cups, in 1987, 1991 and in 1995.[5]

Family

Latu's younger brother, Tevita Latu, played sevens for Tonga while studying in Tonga College in 2000 before moving to New Zealand.[6] The youngest of the Latu brothers, Kilifi, has captained the Tongan sevens team[7][8] and played rugby in New Zealand, together with his older brothers Penieli and Langakali, and in the United States.[9] Penieli played for Tonga in the 1995 World Cup. The Latu brothers all studied at Tonga College. They all played for South Canterbury's Celtic Rugby Club.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b Bath, Richard (ed.) The Complete Book of Rugby (Seven Oaks Ltd, 1997 ISBN 1-86200-013-1), p70
  2. ^ "ć…ƒæ—„æœŹä»ŁèĄšăƒ©ăƒˆă‚„ă•ă‚“ăŒNPOæł•äșșèš­ç«‹ă€‚ă€Œăƒˆăƒłă‚Źć‡șèș«éžæ‰‹ăźă‚”ăƒăƒŒăƒˆă‚’ă€ | ăƒ©ă‚°ăƒ“ăƒŒăƒȘパブăƒȘック" (in Japanese). 12 February 2022.
  3. ^ NEWS, KYODO. "Former Japan rugby international Latu aids Tonga disaster recovery". Kyodo News+.
  4. ^ "ă€ăƒ‹ăƒ„ăƒŒă‚čぼフăƒȘăƒžă€‘ă‚·ăƒŠăƒȘăƒ»ăƒ©ăƒˆă‚„æ°ăźæ¶™ – 東äșŹă‚čăƒăƒŒăƒ„æ–°èžç€Ÿ". 東ă‚čăƒïŒ·eb (in Japanese).
  5. ^ Hiroshi Harada (23 July 2013). "Tongan rugby retiree forged unique bonds". Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  6. ^ a b The Timaru Herald (7 September 2008). "Brothers enter record books". Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  7. ^ "TONGA SEVENS TEAM FOR WELLINGTON SEVENS 2013". rugbyredefined.com. 27 January 2013. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  8. ^ "Canes Billy Guyton returns to help Waimate". Rugby Eye. 6 June 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  9. ^ "Former Sac Lion on field for Tonga". Guest Columnist. 2 March 2012. Retrieved 23 April 2015.

External links