Aussie-born Lions star breaks silence on stadium announcer's bizarre sledge
Sione Tuipulotu has laughed off a series of pre-match sledges strategically made by the stadium announcer at the Optus Stadium on Saturday night.
Tensions were high as the Lions got their tour of Australia off to a flying start with a 54-7 victory against the Western Force.
But it was not the warmest of welcomes to Perth, with the stadium announcer firing barbs at several of the Lions' southern hemisphere-born stars.
Tuipulotu, Canberra-born Mack Hansen, New Zealand-born James Lowe and Pierre Schoeman, who was born in Nelspruit in South Africa, all found themselves in the firing line.
'The Aussie at No 14, Mack Hansen,' the announcer said as he reeled off the team list.
'Another Aussie at No 12, Sione Tuipulotu,' he added. 'The Kiwi now Irishman, James Lowe.
Sione Tuipulotu (pictured) has laughed off sledges from the stadium announcer at the Optus Stadium
'At prop, the former South Africa schoolboy, now Scotsman, Pierre Schoeman.'
Despite his best attempts to get under the skin of the Lions contingent, Tuipulotu, who was born in Frankston, Victoria, explains he was expecting a few jabs.
'I knew there would be some good humour coming back home to Australia,' he said.
'Look, these are all things we've got to take in our stride.
'To not announce the elephant in the room, I am from Australia. You know, I was born here.
'I don't know how funny that gag is to everyone.
'But I'm loving my rugby playing for the Lions and I'm really passionate about it. Andy [Farrell] has brought the group together so well. To play under a coach like him, I can see why Ireland has been so successful in the past.'
The heritage of some of the Lions squad members has been a hotly discussed topic in the build-up to the tour.
Australia boss Joe Schmidt brought up the subject when speaking on the Lions' centres Bundee Aki and Tuipulotu.
The Australia coach had called the Ireland and Scotland stars the 'southern hemisphere centre partnership,' but later apologised for the comment, adding that 'it wasn't meant to be a swipe or a jibe at all'.
'In fact, it was sloppy from me because someone had just been talking to me and described it as that ["the southern hemisphere midfield partnership"], and then I used their words. I should have just stuck to my own words.
'I'm a big believer in the values of the game, so is Faz [Lions head coach Andy Farrell]. I've never seen Faz stirring the pot. His energy goes into the team, not into stirring the pot.'
The former Ireland coach added that he had 'massive respect' for the Lions players.
'It would be great for this tour to be talked about in terms of being a celebration of rugby. And I know that Faz is of the same mind, and so hopefully it can be a really positive celebration of rugby.'
However, Scotland fly-half Finn Russell told the BBC took to the defence of his team-mates.
'For me, as a Scot, I have no issues with them being born in New Zealand or Australia,' the Bath star said.
'Everyone has their different background and different path into rugby and where we are now. These boys definitely deserve their spot in the team.'
Aussie rugby legend David Campese has also called out Andy Farrell's side for having too many 'Australian Islanders' on their books.
He dubbed the tourists 'the British and Irish and Pacific Island Lions'.
'The Irish Lions, sorry, the British and Irish and Pacific Island Lions, I'm going to call them, because you've got so many Australian Islanders in there. It is going to be a very interesting game.'
Tuipulotu, meanwhile, enjoyed an excellent outing alongside Garry Ringrose on Saturday afternoon against the Western Force.
A pectoral injury saw the Glasgow centre miss out on Scotland's Six Nations campaign.
But back in the fold for a Test start at the Suncorp Stadium on July 19, Tuipulotu is enjoying being back on the footy pitch.
'I'm starting to get my feet back underneath me,' he said.
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