Latu Fainu (born 28 May 2005) is a Tonga international rugby league footballer who plays as a Five-eighth and Halfback for the Wests Tigers in the NRL.[2][3]

Latu Fainu
Personal information
Full nameLatu Fainu
Born (2005-05-28) 28 May 2005 (age 19)
Guildford, New South Wales, Australia
Height183 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight90 kg (14 st 2 lb)
Playing information
PositionFive-eighth, Halfback
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2024– Wests Tigers 9 2 0 0 8
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2023– Tonga 1 0 0 0 0
Source: [1]
As of 6 September 2024
RelativesManase Fainu (brother)
Sione Fainu (brother)
Samuela Fainu (brother)
Tevita Amone (uncle)

Early career

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Fainu played in the Harold Matthews Cup for Manly in 2021 as they went undefeated that season. In July 2023, it was reported that Fainu had signed a four-year deal worth nearly $2 million to join the Wests Tigers ahead of the 2024 NRL season.[4][5]

Playing career

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In November 2023, Fainu made his début for Tonga in the third test of their 2023 tour of England.[6] In round 5 of the 2024 NRL season, Fainu made his first grade debut for the Wests Tigers against the Dolphins.[7] Fainu played nine games for the Wests Tigers throughout the 2024 NRL season as the club finished with the Wooden Spoon for a third consecutive year.[8] Fainu was one of five players that were sanctioned for coming back to November pre-season training out of shape.[9]

References

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  1. ^ Rugby League Project
  2. ^ Proszenko, Adrian (20 July 2023). "When they come good, it will be cheap for the club': Can the Fainu brothers save Wests Tigers?". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  3. ^ "20 stars for 2022 | Latu Fainu". New South Wales Rugby League. 25 December 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  4. ^ "'Big risk': Tigers slammed for 'desperate' $4m play for 'unproven' teenage brothers". www.foxsports.com.au.
  5. ^ "'They never saw eye to eye': How sibling rivalry became Tigers telepathy for debutant". www.smh.com.au.
  6. ^ "England sweep series as Woolf considers Tonga future". NRL. 5 November 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  7. ^ "Benji blasts 'terrible' Tigers' discipline … and sends brutal selection warning to stars". www.foxsports.com.au.
  8. ^ "'Either the best or worst game all year': NRL world 'can't look away' from Spoon Bowl". www.foxsports.com.au.
  9. ^ "Teen star among Tigers players breached for fitness issues". Nine. 13 November 2024. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
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