He has finally emerged from the shadow cast by Tatafu Polota-Nau but, after almost landing there by default, Waratah Tolu Latu appears to have found his niche at hooker.
Latu's bullocking runs, ability to pilfer at the breakdown and big hits have marked him as one of the few positives in an otherwise disappointing year to date for his Super Rugby franchise.
After being an understudy for most of the past three seasons, 24-year-old Latu has made the Waratahs' No.2 jersey his own following Polota-Nau's move to Western Force.
"It helped having Taf as a mentor here, I was just trying to be a sponge and soak up everything he had to offer as a hooker for me," Latu said.
."'At times I miss that guidance and miss getting tips from him, but it's good to step out from his shadows and get more game time."
Latu broke into the Wallabies squad on the 2016 spring tour, playing four Tests, including one start against France.
He said the tour filled him with more hunger and motivation to claim the Waratahs jersey ahead of Hugh Roach and Damien Fitzpatrick.
His passage to hooker has been a long one and taken in most other positions along the way.
He began in the centres before moving to five-eighth and then the back row, before a stint at No.8 and openside.
"Then wasn't quite fit enough to play No.7 and got shifted to the front row, and loosehead (prop) and then I was a poor scrummager, so they put me in hooker. I'm still trying to learn how to throw," joked Latu, who has only played the position on a regular basis since 2013.
Asked what his next move might be, Latu quipped "probably a coach."
He has no qualms about admitting he arrived at hooker almost by default.
"Exactly," he said. "I just kept going downhill and found myself at hooker,"
His self-deprecatory humour was evident again when asked when he realised he could be an effective pilferer at the breakdown
"When I realised I was so short," the 178cm rake retorted.
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