Rising rugby star Latu Latunipulu faces up to 9-months on the sidelines after a devastating knee injury while training with the Australian under-20’s rugby team last week.
Scan results confirmed the season ending injury to the 19-year-old’s anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
The injury halts an impressive year of rugby from Latunipulu who was called up from Randwick’s u20’s colts program in 2015 to play in the clubs 1stgrade team, u20’s NSW and Australian representative teams.
Latunipulu, has expressed his determination to get back on the field as he recovers following an operation to repair the ruptured ACL asserting that he is “hungrier and more determined than ever.”
Although Latunipulu will be unavailable to play for the rest of the year, Randwick RUFC Colts director, Travis Partridge concedes that he will still be supporting his team. “Once he is a bit more able, we would love to have him around the group heading into the finals, possibly even helping 3rd Colts backs heading into the finals” said Partridge.
“His attitude and commitment are second to none and for such a young athlete he has the trademark of a true professional at such a young age.”
“He works hard 100% of the time and doesn’t take shortcuts. Latu’s injury was a big set back for the 1st Colts side. His experience and the quality he added on the field will be sorely missed.” said Partridge.
Latunipulu is no stranger to injury, claiming that he’s had “two torn MCL’s in both knees, dislocated fingers, a reconstructed shoulder and a reconstructed right knee”.
“I see this injury just as a minor set back to my rugby career, I do believe everything happens for a reason and for what ever reason why this injury occurred I know something big is going to come out of it, which will mean a lot of hard work and determination in order to make it happen.”
The 19 year old said it was definitely an honor ‘to represent his country’ in the sport he loves.
Latunipulu praises his solid support system, which branches from where he works at the University of Sydney, to home, Randwick RUFC and his family.
Partridge is enthusiastically expecting Latu to return by early next year, “Rehab from an ACL reconstruction is generally 6-9 months so hopefully we see Latu on the field again by the start of next season.”
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