Joe Latta Explained

Joe Latta
Birth Name:Joe Latta
Birth Date:7 April 1992
Birth Place:Dunedin, New Zealand
Height:1.97m (06.46feet)
Weight:114kg (251lb)
Spouse:Channon Latta
School:Otago Boys' High School
Wellington College
Position:Lock
Years1:2015–2017
Years2:2017–2019
Years3:2019–
Clubs1:Gloucester
Clubs2:Bristol Bears
Clubs3:Suntory Sungoliath
Apps1:20
Apps2:13
Apps3:7
Points1:0
Points2:5
Points3:0
Superyears1:2015
Superapps1:5
Superpoints1:5
Super14update:5 July 2015
Provinceyears1:2011-2013
Provinceyears2:2014-2015, 19
Provinceapps1:3
Provinceapps2:16
Provincepoints1:0
Provincepoints2:5
Ru Provinceupdate:23 October 2015
Repyears1:2012
Repteam1:New Zealand U20

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.

Club career

Latta 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 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 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

Latta represented New Zealand Under-20 during the 2012 IRB Junior World Championship in South Africa.[9] [10]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Latta itching for shield game . Otago Daily Times . 21 August 2014 . 8 December 2014.
  2. Web site: Joe Latta Player Profile . Otago Rugby . 8 December 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141213181645/http://www.orfu.co.nz/otago-team/player-profile/94/joe-latta.aspx . 13 December 2014 . dead .
  3. Web site: Joe Latta itsrugby.co.uk Player Statistics . itsrugby.co.uk . 8 December 2014.
  4. Web site: Joe Latta ESPN Scrum Player Profile . ESPN Scrum . 8 December 2014.
  5. Web site: Highlanders 2015 Squad Naming . All Blacks.com . 8 December 2014 .
  6. News: Gloucester sign Highlanders second-row Joe Latta. ESPN scrum. 11 November 2015. 14 November 2015.
  7. News: Bristol to sign Gloucester second-rower Joe Latta from next season. BBC Sport. 3 April 2017. 4 April 2017.
  8. News: Short stint with Otago for Latta before move to Japan. ODT.co.nz. 26 July 2019. 29 August 2019.
  9. Web site: Joe Latta New Zealand Under-20 Player Profile . All Blacks.com . 8 December 2014.
  10. Web site: 2012 New Zealand Under 20 squad named . All Blacks.com . 28 April 2012 . 8 December 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180813210331/http://www.allblacks.com/News/19220/2012-new-zealand-under-20-squad-named . 13 August 2018 . dead .