Teen rugby star Unga Latu gets advice from All Blacks hero

A chance meeting saw this rising star of rugby receive sage advice from an All Black - and a new pair of boots!

Young rugby player Unga Latu has had a “dream come true’’.

Young rugby gun Unga Latu is used to physicality on the field but he didn’t know what hit him when an All Black star walked into the barber shop where he works.

In fact the 18-year-old, who played in the Gen Blues Junior side earlier this month against a Schools XV, said he was “shaking like a leaf’’ when he realised whose hair he was cutting when the New Zealand side were based at Manly for the Bledisloe Cup.

Young rugby player Unga Latu playing in his red boots on the weekend.

“It was Ngani Laumape and I still get goose bumps just thinking about it,’’ said the youngster, who attended Narrabeen Sports High before taking on a job at the Bar X Bar barbershop.

“I had seen them around and I could believe they were there.

“My hand swore shaking, it was nerve racking and he asked me if I was OK. We had a mad chat because we are both from Tonga and he gave me some life advice.

“Then I went back to the hotel with him and met Ardie Savea, who is my hero, and he gave me boots.’’

Latu, who lived in New Zealand for six years, said he watches highlight of Savea before every match he plays and wore his boots in Sunday’s game where he represented the Gen Blues Juniors.

Young rugby player Unga Latu said it was a dream come true to meet the All Blacks players.

“I was a metre away from my idol and I felt like I was frozen I was so happy. Then he gave me boots which I wore at the game,’’ Latu said.

“It was a dream come true and his advice for footy was, when you get older it can be hard, especially if you have to move away from family, but make sure you have fun.’'

Latu, identified as a promising rugby talent of the future, is hoping to next week sign with a club to play colts.

Based at Frenchs Forest the 107 kilo teen has received interest from a number of clubs for 2021 and was with the Warringah Rats in 2020.

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