Halatau is New Zealand national representative who was part of their 2008 Rugby League World Cup winning squad.

Born in Invercargill, New Zealand, Halatau moved to Australia as a 4-year-old and played his junior rugby league for the Merrylands Rams and North Ryde Hawks before being signed by the Wests Tigers.

In November, he was selected for the New Zealand national rugby league team making his test debut at hooker against France in the 24–20 win at Stade d'Albert Domec.

"[7] Halatau played off the interchange bench for New Zealand in the 2005 ANZAC Test at Suncorp Stadium, as the Kiwis lost 32–16.

Halatau was selected to play for New Zealand at hooker in the 2007 ANZAC Test in the Kiwis 30–6 loss at Suncorp Stadium.

In Round 15 against the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium, Halatau played his 100th NRL career match and scored a try in the Tigers 19–18 loss.

Halatau was a member of the New Zealand team which defeated Australia 34–20 in the 2008 World Cup Final at Suncorp Stadium.

"[7] In Round 3 against the Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium, Halatau made his club debut for Canterbury-Bankstown in the 60–14 win.

"[7] In Round 23 against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at Remondis Stadium, Halatau scored his first try as a Canterbury player before succumbing to a season ending ankle injury.

[20] Halatau was named 18th man for Canterbury's 2012 NRL Grand Final team against the Melbourne Storm with the club losing 14–4.

[22] He played his return match in Round 14 against the South Sydney Rabbitohs off the interchange bench in the Tigers 32–10 loss.

[23] In Round 18 against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles at Brookvale Oval, Halatau played in his 200th NRL match in the Tigers 40–8 loss.

Halatau made his debut as captain in Round 11 against the North Queensland Cowboys in the Tigers 8–0 loss at Campbelltown Stadium.

[26] He captained the team a further 2 times while Robbie Farah and Aaron Woods were away on State of Origin duties, including a surprise 34–6 upset victory over the South Sydney Rabbitohs in Round 14.

"[30] With Robbie Farah injured, playing State of Origin, and then dropped to reserve grade, Halatau was the first choice as hooker for the majority of the season.