From the sting to the engine room – it’s a transition few make in rugby league.

And it’s one Latu’s son, Bathurst St Pat’s gun Michael, isn’t too keen on emulating, despite his own Group 10 career also starting out on the wing.

“I don’t know ... hopefully not,” Michael said when asked if he’s likely to follow in the foot steps of his old man.

“Give him another 10 years,” Stan laughed.

Latu junior will run out for his first game of senior rep footy with Group 10 when the blue group hosts old rivals Group 11 at Jack Arrow Sporting Complex.

His selection was the surprise in Graeme Osborne’s 18-man Group 10 squad, one brimming with experienced players the likes of Josh Starling and Chris Grevsmuhl, both former NRL players.

Throw in the mix Sam Dwyer, Jeremy Gordon and premiership winning CYMS guns Ryan Griffin and Tom Satterthwaite, and this Group 10 team is a serious outfit.

Stan, too, played senior footy for Group 10 and while that was “too long ago to remember” he says when Michael runs out on Saturday in his first game the memories will come flooding back.

“It’s very exciting. I’m very proud of him,” Stan said.

“I think he’ll go alright. I watched him last week playing in first grade, he’s worked hard over the last couple of years.

“He’s got the speed and he’s very strong.”

Michael, 18, was stunned after last week learning he’d be in the senior side – he didn’t think he would feature in under 23s calculations.

But a strong performance on Saturday game could well rocket the St Pat’s flier in to Tim Ryan’s Western Rams side to take on Illawarra in round one of the country championship.

“I was shocked. I found out I was playing last Thursday at training,” he said, he’ll line-up outside Oberon powerhouse Abel Lefaoseu. 

“It’s been good to get around those guys that have played a higher level of rep footy and it’ll be good to play outside Abel.

“I’ll just sort of stick to the wing, (Abel) will draw them in and that will give me some space and with a good half there in Dougie (Hewitt) the opportunities will come.”

And as for the son of one of Panthers’ best-ever props, a life member and premiership winner no less, playing with crosstown rivals St Pat’s?

“I’m happy for him as long as he’s happy. It doesn’t matter where he plays,” Stan said.

Group 10 takes on Group 11 from 3.10pm at Jack Arrow Sporting Complex.