Forklift driver Tolu Latu to push NSW Waratahs hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau after signing on for 2014

FOR the past 18 months, Tolu Latu has been driving forklifts at Flemington Markets. He's now one of the Waratahs' top prospects for 2014.

Tolu Latu

FOR the past 18 months, Tolu Latu has been working the midnight-11am shift, driving forklifts at Flemington Markets.

"It’s just so I can get some steady income, just to help family and so I can buy Maccas on the weekend," Latu said.

He can now give his family a little bit more, and afford to eat at finer establishments, after signing his first professional rugby contract as a Waratahs hooker – just three years after playing his first game in the front row.

Not only is 20-year-old Latu viewed as a prospect, but Waratahs coach Michael Cheika says his shock new signing will challenge Wallaby Tatafu Polota-Nau for the starting NSW No.2 jersey.

"I would say Taf’s got his hands full to be honest, he’s going to have a competitor on his tail right from day one," Cheika said.

"He’s shown right from the time he’s spent with us this season, and also on the [Argentina] tour, and also in his club rugby, that he can be a very dominant player when he puts his mind to it.

"The idea of bringing in a guy like Tolu is so that Taf does have his hands full from the competition, and there will be another hooker coming into the squad too somewhere along the line, and Tolu will have his hands full dealing with him as well."

Latu, who helped Sydney University win the Shute Shield premiership last weekend, has been grinding away amid the lettuce leaves and bananas at night and then training during the day to get his big break.

"Whenever Sydney Uni want me to come and train, I make my way from the markets straight to training," he said, before adding with a straight face that he was “very disappointed” to be giving it up for life as a professional footballer.

Born in Tonga, Latu moved to Australia at the age of two and played his junior rugby with Canterbury.

When he entered the University system he was told some home truths by coach Ray Hudd that has transformed his future.

"I started in the backs, then slowly lost my speed, put on weight, didn’t grow taller," Latu said.

"I started in the centres, then moved to No.8, then played loose forwards for a while and then got told (by Hudd), ‘Mate, you’re too unfit and too slow to be in the loose forwards, you should try your hand in the front row’.

"It was pretty surprising to me, but to everyone else it was probably the best move I’ve ever made.

"Every day I thank him for telling me I was too slow and moving me into the front row."

As for challenging Polota-Nau’s starting spot, Latu said: "I just want to challenge him and make him a better player, and hopefully become like Taf.

"As a hooker he’s someone I’ve looked up to and tried to base my game around.

"I will probably be hanging out his pocket every day, just trying to soak in as much as I can and learn as much as I can."