Melissa Akanesi Latu (born 31 July 1973) is a former Australian rugby union player. She made her test debut for Australia in 1997 against the United States in Brisbane.[1] She represented the Wallaroos at the 1998 Rugby World Cup in the Netherlands.[1][2]
| Date of birth | 31 July 1973 | ||||||||||||||||
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| Place of birth | Melbourne | ||||||||||||||||
| School | Heidelberg High School Balwyn High School Box Hill Technical School | ||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||
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Latu joined the Wallaroos for the 2002 Rugby World Cup in Spain just 12 weeks after giving birth to her first child.[3][2][4] She was named in the starting line-up that faced the Black Ferns in the Wallaroos last pool game.[5]
Latu's uncle, Samuel Latu, played for in the Tongan team that beat the Wallabies in 1972.[3] She played for the Box Hill Fillies in Victoria.[6] She is the owner of Muscle Action Therapies.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b "Melissa Akanesi Latu". classicwallabies.com.au. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
- ^ a b "Our Story - A message from owner, Melissa Latu". Muscle Action Therapies. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
- ^ a b "Australia's happy hooker". www.iol.co.za. 7 May 2002. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
- ^ "A lusty cry went up from the stands: Mum, I'm hungry". The Sydney Morning Herald. 6 May 2002. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
- ^ "Rugby: Palmer to reach milestone against Australia". NZ Herald. 17 May 2002. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ^ "Womens Rugby". boxhillrugby. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
- ^ "Melissa Latu - Senior Sports & Remedial Therapist". Muscle Action Therapies. Retrieved 7 January 2023.