.jpg) Meafou playing forNSW Country Eagles in 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Full name | Emmanuel Latu-Meafou | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | (1998-07-12)12 July 1998 (age 26) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Auckland, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 145 kg (320 lb; 22 st 12 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Ipswich Grammar School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable relative(s) | Abigail Latu-Meafou (sister) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Emmanuel Latu-Meafou (born 12 July 1998) is a professionalrugby union player who plays as alock forTop 14 clubToulouse and theFrance national team. Born in New Zealand to parents fromSamoa, before moving to Australia where he was raised, he later obtained French nationality in 2023 and made his debut for his adoptive country in 2024.
Emmanuel Latu-Meafou was born on(1998-07-12)12 July 1998 in New Zealand toSamoan parents before moving toSydney, Australia at two years old with his parents. Shortly afterwards, the family relocated toQueensland: first toBrisbane and then toIpswich, where he grew up. His nickname is Manny.[1]
At the age of five, he started playingrugby league atIpswich Grammar School inSouth East Queensland.[2] He only switched torugby union at sixteen years old, playing forBrothers.[3] In 2015, Meafou was selected to play for the Queensland II side in theAustralian Schools Rugby Championships.[4]
In 2017, Meafou first played forNational Rugby Championship professional teamMelbourne Rising before, one year after, playing for bothShute Shield sideWarringah andNSW Country Eagles.
Following the 2018 season, having no offers to pursue his professional career in rugby, he had a brief opportunity to switch toAmerican football and play in theNational Football League via theInternational Player Pathway Program.[5] Meafou stated: "Rugby was still a passion and dream of mine. The only reason I went down the NFL road was because I had no offers. For me rugby was over."[6]
After his agent reportedly sent footage of Meafou to French rugby clubs, they received several positive responses and offers before joiningToulouse's youth development system.[6] He then left Australia for France in December 2018.[7]
On 21 December 2019, he played his first professional game in France with his new club after having signed an Academy (U21) contract in January until 2021. The next season, he won the2020–21 European Rugby Champions Cup and2020-21 Top 14 double with the French team.[8]
During the2022–23, Meafou became a regular starter in the Toulouse tight five, playing 23 games and emerging as the cornerstone of the Red and Blacks' scrum. He also started with number 5 jersey in every Toulouse'sEuropean Rugby Champions Cup match. On 4 January 2023, he extended his contract with Toulouse until 2025,[9] before winning his thirdBouclier de Brennus in the Top 14 final against La Rochelle on 17 June.[10]
"Oh man, I want to play forFrance. [...] France is definitely on my radar. There's been a little bit of discussion around it and I'm working towards getting mypassport."
Being born in New Zealand to parents from Samoa, before moving to Australia as a young child, Meafou is eligible to play for all three countries. Since his arrival inToulouse in December 2018, Meafou has publicly declared his love of his new homeland and said he would like to play forFrance.[11]
On 12 March 2023, he was called up to the France national team as an additional training player since he was not eligible to play for his adoptive country yet.[12]
In April 2023, prior to making his debut for France, he was contacted byEddie Jones to play forAustralia ahead of the2023 Rugby World Cup. He declined the offer in favour of playing for France.[13]
On 17 January 2024, he was called up to the France national team for the2024 Six Nations Championship by head coachFabien Galthié.[14] On 8 March 2024, having been unavailable for selection in the first three rounds due to injury, he was named in the starting side to faceWales.[15]
"I have been in France for five years, these were the best years of my life. This country really touches my heart. [...] When I arrived here, people always have open arms and I hope to stay there for a long time. I am very proud to be French but I am proud to be from Toulouse too."
Meafou and his wife Jada have a son, born in France in December 2023.[17] In 2022, he passed aFrench language exam in order to become aFrench citizen.[8] After nearly five years living in France and playing for Toulouse, he was granted French citizenship on 9 November 2023, after a French naturalisation ceremony that took place at theCapitole de Toulouse.[18][19]
Meafou is close to former Toulouse playersPiula Faʻasalele,Joe Tekori,Jerome Kaino andCharlie Faumuina as well as current teammatePita Ahki who helped him to acclimatize himself to France. He is also friends with La Rochelle lockWill Skelton.[20]
Champion (1):2025
Runner-up (1):2018
