Chris Latham (rugby player)

Rugger
name = Chris Latham


caption =
birthname = Chris Latham
nickname = Latho
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1975|9|8|df=yes
placeofbirth = Narrabri, New South Wales, Australia
dateofdeath =
placeofdeath =
height = height|m=1.93
weight = 102 kg
ru_position = Fullback, Wing
ru_nationalteam = Australia
ru_nationalyears = 1998-2007
ru_nationalcaps = 78
ru_nationalpoints = (200)
ru_nationaltries = 36
ru_ntupdate = 2006-09-12
super14years= 1997
1998-2008
super14= Waratahs
Queensland Reds
super14caps = 10
99
super14points = (211)
super14update = 2006-09-12
ru_currentclub = Worcester Warriors
ru_sevensnationalyears = 1997, 2006
ru_sevensnationalteam = Australia
ru_sevensnationalpoints =
ru_sevensnationalcaps =
ru_sevensupdate = 2006-09-12
other = yes
occupation =
family =
spouse = Michelle
children =
relatives =
school = Narrabri High School
university =

Chris Latham (born 8 September 1975) is an Australian rugby union player, who plays fullback for the Worcester Warriors, following a long career with the Queensland Reds and Australia.

He currently stands as the second highest try scorer (behind David Campese) in Wallaby history with 40 international tries.

Career

He started his career with the New South Wales Waratahs, but moved to Queensland in 1998, beginning a highly successful career with the Reds where he received the Australian Super 12 Player of the Year award three times (2000, 2003 and 2004). In 2005 he became the 21st player to win 100 caps for Queensland.

Latham made his international debut for Australia against France in 1998 and represented Australia in the 1999, 2003 and 2007 Rugby World Cups.

He was a star of the Northern Hemisphere v. Southern Hemisphere Tsunami Relief match held at Twickenham in March 2005, scoring three tries.

In February 2006, he was named in the Australian Rugby Sevens team to compete at the 2006 Commonwealth games, to be held in Melbourne. Latham suffered a rib injury in the tournament.

On 12 September 2006 he was awarded the 2006 John Eales Medalcite news | url=http://www.rugby.com.au/news/chris_latham_wins_2006_john_eales_medal,48958.html/section/21893| title= Chris Latham wins 2006 John Eales Medal | publisher=ARU | date= 2006-09-12 | accessdate= 2006-09-12] . He is the first back to be awarded the medal.

Latham is widely regarded as one of the best fullbacks in the world, and in 2006 was nominated by the International Rugby Board for player of the year.cite news| url=http://www.irb.com/history/news/newsid=278467.html#irb+announces+player+year+nominees |title=IRB announces Player of Year nominees |publisher=irb.com |accessdate=2007-09-17 |date=2006-07-23] [The eventual winner was Richie McCaw however Latham was the only fullback nominated.] Latham suffered misfortune in early 2007 when he ripped his anterior cruciate ligament in pre-season training with the Queensland Reds.

His return to the Wallabies team was seen as essential to their chances of success in the tournament. [cite web | work=www.theroar.com.au |url= http://www.theroar.com.au/2007/06/18/wallabies-v-springboks-match-report/
title=Wallabies v Springboks Match Report 18 June 2007] and he did not disappoint in their ultimately unsuccessful campaign.

Latham's final season with the Reds was again disrupted by injury. His round 13 return against the Crusaders should have been his penultimate appearance for the Reds, but he ruptured his pectoral muscle 13 minutes into the match, ending his Queensland and Australian career. This denied him a final round, home game farewell against the Waratahs, in what would have been his 100th Super Rugby appearance for the Reds.

Latham has moved to the Worcester Rugby Club in 2008 on a two year contract [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/worcester/7148186.stm BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | My Club | Worcester | Latham seals switch to Worcester ] ] . He made his Worcester debut in a pre-season friendly against Ulster on August 27, 2008 [ [http://www.wrfc.co.uk/373_2418.php Irish joy as Warriors impress at Ulster] ] .

References

External links

* [http://www.rugby.com.au/players/wallabies/2007_squad/2007_rwc_squad/latham,_chris,62626.html Wallabies profile]
* [http://www.sporting-heroes.net/rugby-heroes/displayhero.asp?HeroID=2039 Sporting Heroes Profile]
* [http://www.melbourne2006.com.au/Participants/Participants?ID=110030 2006 Commonwealth Games Athlete Profile]
* [http://www.rugby.com.au/players/wallabies/2005_squad/latham,_chris,28543.html ARU Player Profile]
* [http://www.redsrugby.com.au/reds/reds.rugby/page/40239/section/40810 Reds Profile]