{{short description|France international rugby union player}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}} {{Use Australian English|date=January 2024}} {{Infobox rugby biography | name = Emmanuel Meafou | image = File:European Rugby Champions Cup 24-25- RC Toulonnais vs Stade Toulousain-589-Migliorato-NR (54469780320) (cropped Meafou).jpg | caption = Meafou with Toulouse in the 2024–25 European Rugby Champions Cup | fullname = Emmanuel Latu-Meafou | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|07|12|df=y}} | birth_place = Auckland, New Zealand | height = {{convert|2.03|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}} | weight = {{convert|145|kg|lb stlb|0|abbr=on}} | school = Ipswich Grammar School | university = | relatives = Abigail Latu-Meafou (sister) | position = Lock | currentclub = Toulouse | youthyears1 = <!-- 2014–2016 --> | youthclubs1 = <!-- Brothers --> | youthyears2 = <!-- 2018–2019 --> | youthclubs2 = <!-- Toulouse --> | years1 = 2017 | clubs1 = Melbourne Rising | apps1 = 6 | points1 = 0 | years2 = 2018 | clubs2 = Warringah | apps2 = 17 | points2 = 15 | years3 = 2018 | clubs3 = NSW Country Eagles | apps3 = 7 | points3 = 5 | years4 = 2019– | clubs4 = Toulouse | apps4 = 100 | points4 = 145 | clubupdate = 25 May 2024 | repyears1 = 2024– | repteam1 = France | repcaps1 = 16 | reppoints1 = 5 | repupdate = 14 March 2026 | ru_sevensnationalyears1 = | ru_sevensnationalteam1 = | ru_sevensnationalcomp1 = | ru_sevensupdate = }}
'''Emmanuel Latu-Meafou''' (born 12 July 1998) is a professional rugby union player who plays as a lock for Top 14 club Toulouse and the France national team. Born in New Zealand to parents from Samoa, 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.
== Early life == Emmanuel Latu-Meafou was born on {{Birth date|1998|7|12|df=yes}} in New Zealand to Samoan parents before moving to Sydney, Australia at two years old with his parents. Shortly afterwards, the family relocated to Queensland: first to Brisbane and then to Ipswich, where he grew up. His nickname is Manny.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/131152175/meet-manny-meafou-the-202m-145kg-nzborn-aussieraised-lock-set-to-star-for-france |title=Meet Manny Meafou, the 2.02m 145kg NZ-born Aussie-raised lock set to star for France |last=Payten |first=Iain |date=5 February 2023 |website=Stuff |access-date=13 March 2023}}</ref>
At the age of five, he started playing rugby league at Ipswich Grammar School in South East Queensland.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://7news.com.au/sport/rugby-union/lock-meafou-says-au-revoir-to-wallabies-c-6499438 |title=Lock Meafou says au revoir to Wallabies |last=Woods |first=Melissa |date=19 April 2022 |website=7news.com.au |publisher= |access-date=13 March 2023}}</ref> He only switched to rugby union at sixteen years old, playing for Brothers.<ref name=Rebels>{{cite web |url=https://melbournerebels.rugby/news/2019/03/22/my-rise-in-my-words-emmanuel-latu-meafou |title=My Rise in My Words: Emmanuel Latu-Meafou |last=Latu-Meafou |first=Emmanuel |date=26 September 2017 |website=Melbourne Rebels |access-date=13 March 2023}}</ref> In 2015, Meafou was selected to play for the Queensland II side in the Australian Schools Rugby Championships.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://rugbynews.net.au/australian-schools-championships-team-lists |title=Australian Schools Championships: Team Lists |last= |first= |date=27 June 2015 |website=RugbyNews.net.au |publisher= |access-date=13 March 2023 |url-access=subscription }}</ref>
== Club career == In 2017, Meafou first played for National Rugby Championship professional team Melbourne Rising before, one year after, playing for both Shute Shield side Warringah and NSW Country Eagles.
Following the 2018 season, having no offers to pursue his professional career in rugby, he had a brief opportunity to switch to American football and play in the National Football League via the International Player Pathway Program.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/25327883/behind-scenes-nfl-international-combine-australia |title=Behind the scenes at the NFL International Combine Australia |last=Bruce |first=Sam |date=20 November 2018 |website=ESPN |access-date=13 March 2023}}</ref> 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.''"<ref name=Pass>{{cite web |url=https://www.rugbypass.com/news/meafou-the-68-145kg-aussie-who-chose-toulouse-over-a-shot-at-the-nfl/ |title=The 6'8", 145kg Aussie who chose Toulouse over a shot at the NFL |last=Frost |first=Stefan |date=17 April 2022 |website=Rugby Pass |access-date=13 March 2023}}</ref>
=== Toulouse === After his agent reportedly sent footage of Meafou to French rugby clubs, they received several positive responses and offers before joining Toulouse's youth development system.<ref name="Pass"/> He then left Australia for France in December 2018.<ref>{{cite news |language=fr |url=https://www.eurosport.fr/rugby/coupe-du-monde/2023/demande-rejetee-par-world-rugby-emmanuel-meafou-ne-disputera-pas-le-mondial-avec-le-xv-de-france-sou_sto9672578/story.shtml |title=Requête rejetée par World Rugby : Emmanuel Meafou ne disputera pas le Mondial avec le XV de France |last=Farvacque |first=Simon |date=25 June 2023 |website=Eurosport |access-date=23 January 2024}}</ref>
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 the 2020–21 European Rugby Champions Cup and 2020-21 Top 14 double with the French team.<ref name="StadeT">{{cite web |url=https://www.stadetoulousain.fr/equipe-pro/effectifs/372/emmanuel-meafou |title=Emmanuel MEAFOU |website=Stade Toulousain |date=December 2018 |access-date=13 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313025231/https://www.stadetoulousain.fr/equipe-pro/effectifs/372/emmanuel-meafou |archive-date=13 March 2023 }}</ref>
During the 2022–23, 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's European Rugby Champions Cup match. On 4 January 2023, he extended his contract with Toulouse until 2025,<ref>{{Cite instagram |user=StadeToulousainRugby |postid=Cm_XIeCMMY2 |title=Emmanuel Meafou, Stadiste jusqu'en 2025 |trans-title=Emmanuel Meafou, Stadiste until 2025 |date=4 January 2023}}</ref> before winning his third Bouclier de Brennus in the Top 14 final against La Rochelle on 17 June.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.planetrugby.com/news/toulouse-v-la-rochelle-five-takeaways-from-the-top14-final-as-romain-ntamack-seals-the-win |title=Toulouse v La Rochelle: Five takeaways from the Top 14 final as Romain Ntamack seals the win |last=While |first=James |date=18 June 2023 |website=Planet Rugby |access-date=13 November 2023}}</ref>
== International career == {{quote box|width=30%|align=right|quote="Oh man, I want to play for France. [...] France is definitely on my radar. There's been a little bit of discussion around it and I'm working towards getting my passport."|source=– Meafou in an interview to ''Le French Rugby Podcast'' reported by ESPN<ref name="ESPNmeafou">{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/rugby/story/_/id/33768738/aussie-lock-emmanuel-meafou-wants-play-france |title=Aussie lock Emmanuel Meafou wants to play for France |date=20 April 2022 |website=ESPN |access-date=13 March 2023}}</ref>}}
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 in Toulouse in December 2018, Meafou has publicly declared his love of his new homeland and said he would like to play for France.<ref name="ESPNmeafou"/>
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.<ref>{{cite news |language=fr |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Actualites/Xv-de-france-avec-emmanuel-meafou-pour-preparer-le-pays-de-galles/1385498 |title=XV de France : Avec Emmanuel Meafou pour préparer le pays de Galles |date=12 March 2023 |newspaper=L'Équipe |access-date=13 March 2023}}</ref>
In April 2023, prior to making his debut for France, he was contacted by Eddie Jones to play for Australia ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. He declined the offer in favour of playing for France.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cameron |first1=Ian |title=Eddie Jones ends Wallabies speculation on Emmanuel Meafou |date=2 April 2023 |url=https://www.rugbypass.com/news/eddie-jones-ends-wallabies-speculation-on-emanuel-meafou/ |publisher=RugbyPass |access-date=12 March 2024}}</ref>
On 17 January 2024, he was called up to the France national team for the 2024 Six Nations Championship by head coach Fabien Galthié.<ref>{{cite news |language=fr |url=https://www.ffr.fr/actualites/xv-de-france/tournoi-des-six-nations-le-groupe-pour-preparer-lirlande |title=Tournoi des Six Nations : Le groupe pour préparer l'Irlande |trans-title= Six Nations Tournament: The group to prepare for Ireland |last=Muzeau |first=Sylvain |date=17 January 2024 |publisher=FFR |access-date=17 January 2024}}</ref> 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 face Wales.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Latham-Coyle |first1=Harry |title=Three debutants to start for France as Fabien Galthie rings changes for Wales |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/france-team-news-wales-six-nations-b2509360.html |work=The Independent |access-date=8 March 2024}}</ref>
=== List of international tries === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="font-size:90%;" |+ International tries |- !scope=col|{{abbr|No.|Number of try}} !scope=col data-sort-type=date|Date !scope=col|Venue !scope=col|Opponent !scope=col|Score !scope=col|Result !scope=col|Competition |- !scope=row|1 |22 February 2026 |Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France |{{ru|ITA}} |align=center|'''12'''–0 |align=center|'''33'''–8 |{{nowrap|2026 Six Nations}} |}
==Personal life== {{quote box|width=30%|align=right|quote="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."|source=– Meafou in an interview after his naturalisation<ref>{{cite news |language=fr |url=https://actu.fr/sports/rugby/pro/rugby-emmanuel-meafou-naturalise-francais-je-dois-meriter-ma-place-en-equipe-de-france_60314593.html |title=Rugby. Emmanuel Meafou naturalisé français : "Je dois mériter ma place en équipe de France" |last=Dendri |first=Nicolas |date=9 November 2023 |website=Actu.fr |access-date=13 November 2023}}</ref>}}
Meafou and his wife Jada have a son, born in France in December 2023.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.rugbyworld.com/players/emmanuel-meafou-ten-things-you-should-know-about-france-second-row-166413 |title=Emmanuel Meafou: Ten things you should know about France second row |last=Rendell |first=Sarah |date=8 March 2024 |website=Rugby World |access-date=29 June 2024}}</ref> In 2022, he passed a French language exam in order to become a French citizen.<ref name="StadeT"/> 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 the Capitole de Toulouse.<ref>{{cite news |language=fr |url=https://www.stadetoulousain.fr/actualite/actu-club/8136-meafou-est-naturalise-francais |title=Meafou est naturalisé français ! |date=9 November 2023 |website=Stade Toulousain |access-date=13 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.rugbypass.com/news/france-given-major-six-nations-boost-as-emmanuel-meafou-is-officially-eligible |title=France given major Six Nations boost as Emmanuel Meafou is officially eligible |last=Raisey |first=Josh |date=9 November 2023 |website=Rugby Pass |access-date=13 November 2023}}</ref>
Meafou is close to former Toulouse players Piula Faʻasalele, Joe Tekori, Jerome Kaino and Charlie Faumuina as well as current teammate Pita Ahki who helped him to acclimatize himself to France. He is also friends with La Rochelle lock Will Skelton.<ref>{{cite news |language=fr |url=https://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/rugby/rugby-quand-je-suis-arrive-en-france-je-pesais-162-kilos-rencontre-avec-le-geant-toulousain-emmanuel-meafou_AV-202304070396.html |title=Rugby: "Quand je suis arrivé en France, je pesais 162 kilos", rencontre avec le géant toulousain Emmanuel Meafou |last=Templier |first=Wilfried |date=7 April 2023 |website=RMC Sport |access-date=13 November 2023}}</ref>
Meafou is a devout Christian, thanking Jesus christ during his player of the match interview when playing for France against Italy in the six nations on the 22nd February 2026.
== Honours == ; {{Flag icon|France}} '''France''' *'''Six Nations Championship''' **{{Gold1}} '''Champion (2):''' 2025, 2026
; Toulouse *'''European Rugby Champions Cup''' **{{Gold1}} '''Champion (2):''' 2020–21, 2023–24 *'''Top 14''' **{{Gold1}} '''Champion (4):''' 2018–19, 2020–21, 2022–23, 2023–24
; Warringah *'''Shute Shield''' **{{Silver2}} Runner-up (1): 2018
== References == {{reflist|40em}}
== External links == * [https://www.ffr.fr/equipe-de-france/rugby-a-xv/xv-de-france-masculin/joueurs/meafou-emmanuel France profile] at FFR * [https://www.stadetoulousain.fr/equipe-pro/effectifs/372/emmanuel-meafou Stade Toulousain] * {{EPCR profile|EM885694}} * {{All.Rugby profile|emmanuel-meafou}} * {{ItsRugby profile}}
{{Stade Toulousain}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Meafou, Emmanuel}} Category:Living people Category:1998 births Category:Australian rugby union players Category:Rugby union locks Category:Australian expatriate rugby union players in France Category:Melbourne Rising players Category:Stade Toulousain players Category:New South Wales Country Eagles players Category:Rugby union players from Ipswich, Queensland Category:Naturalized citizens of France Category:Warringah Rugby Club players Category:France international rugby union players Category:People educated at Ipswich Grammar School Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen Category:21st-century French sportsmen