Joe Latta (born 7 April 1992) is a New Zealand rugby union player for Suntory Sungoliath in the Top League. His regular playing position is Lock.
| Birth name | Joe Latta | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 7 April 1992 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Dunedin, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 114 kg (17 st 13 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Otago Boys' High School Wellington College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Club career
editLatta is the son of former Otago prop John Latta, however after finishing off his schooling at Wellington College he started his senior rugby career in New Zealand's capital city. He debuted for the Wellington Lions during the 2012 ITM Cup, but only managed a couple of appearances. He was to receive a serious setback at the end of the year as he badly injured his hip and it took him a full 16 months to recover.[1] When he did get back to full fitness he started out in club rugby with the Zingari-Richmond club in his native Otago and was then signed to the Otago Razorbacks ITM Cup team for the 2014 season. Although Otago endured a disappointing campaign, Latta made a big impression in the second row scoring 1 try in 8 appearances.[2][3][4] This form led to him being named as a member of the Highlanders wider training group for the 2015 Super Rugby season, and making his debut against the Brumbies on 24 April 2015.[5]
On 11 November 2015, Latta signed a two-year deal to join English club Gloucester in the Aviva Premiership.[6] On 3 April 2017, Latta signed a new deal to join local rivals Bristol Bears in the RFU Championship ahead of the 2017–18 season.[7]
After his release from Bristol, Latta returns to New Zealand with old province Otago for the upcoming 2019 Mitre 10 Cup. Afterwards, Latta will travel to Japan with Suntory Sungoliath in the Top League competition on a two-year contract.[8]
International career
editLatta represented New Zealand Under-20 during the 2012 IRB Junior World Championship in South Africa.[9][10]
References
edit- ^ "Latta itching for shield game". Otago Daily Times. 21 August 2014. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
- ^ "Joe Latta Player Profile". Otago Rugby. Archived from the original on 13 December 2014. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
- ^ "Joe Latta itsrugby.co.uk Player Statistics". itsrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
- ^ "Joe Latta ESPN Scrum Player Profile". ESPN Scrum. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
- ^ "Highlanders 2015 Squad Naming" (PDF). All Blacks.com. Retrieved 8 December 2014.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Gloucester sign Highlanders second-row Joe Latta". ESPN scrum. 11 November 2015. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
- ^ "Bristol to sign Gloucester second-rower Joe Latta from next season". BBC Sport. 3 April 2017. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
- ^ "Short stint with Otago for Latta before move to Japan". ODT.co.nz. 26 July 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ "Joe Latta New Zealand Under-20 Player Profile". All Blacks.com. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
- ^ "2012 New Zealand Under 20 squad named". All Blacks.com. 28 April 2012. Archived from the original on 13 August 2018. Retrieved 8 December 2014.