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Sydney - Wallabies hooker Tolu Latu has been cleared to play for the Waratahs on Saturday despite pleading guilty to drunk-driving this week.
The 26-year-old admitted the charge in court on Thursday after being found slumped at the wheel of his car last month, with sentencing adjourned until June 14.
Despite being withdrawn from a Wallabies camp after the news broke and missing two Super Rugby games after being stood down, Latu was included in their 23-man squad to face the Brumbies in Sydney on Saturday (11:45 SA time).
The Waratahs said he was available for selection after showing contrition.
"We have taken into account the steps that Tolu has taken in recent weeks to address his actions and behaviours and acknowledge his time served on the sidelines," NSW Rugby chief Andrew Hore told reporters late Thursday.
"While he is still subject to potential code of conduct processes pending the outcome of his sentencing, Tolu will be available for selection for the NSW Waratahs until such time."
His return is a boost as the team prepares for a clash against the Brumbies that they must win to stand any chance of making the finals.
With two games left, they are nine points adrift of them in the Australian conference and four behind the Melbourne Rebels.
Teams:
Waratahs
15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Alex Newsome, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Lalakai Foketi, 11 Curtis Rona, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Michael Wells, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Lachlan Swinton, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Tom Staniforth, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Damian Fitzpatrick, 1 Tom Robertson
Substitutes: 16 Tolu Latu, 17 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 18 Chris Talakai, 19 Jed Holloway, 20 Will Miller, 21 Jake Gordon, 22 Tautalatasi Tasi, 23 Cam Clark
Brumbies
15 Tom Banks, 14 Andy Muirhead, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Irae Simone, 11 Toni Pulu, 10 Christian Leali’ifano (captain), 9 Joe Powell, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Tom Cusack, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 James Slipper
Substitutes: 16 Connal McInerney, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Leslie Lealuaialii-Makin, 19 Darcy Swain, 20 Lachlan McCaffrey, 21 Jahrome Brown, 22 Matt Lucas, 23 Tom Wright
