Latest news with #Tuipulotu
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Scotland's 28-year Lions wait is over as talisman provides Hollywood moment in Lions win
Sione Tuipulotu of the British and Irish Lions celebrates his try against Australia in the first Test at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. | Getty Images Tourists one win away from first series win since 2013 Sign up to our Rugby Union newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... When Sione Tuipulotu sat down with a handful of journalists after Glasgow Warriors' first home game of the season last September he made clear his ambitions for the campaign ahead. Being selected for the Lions' tour of Australia would, in his words, 'be the biggest thing ever'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I would love to have an opportunity to go over there and play them with a bit of unfinished business,' said the centre from Victoria who turned out for the Junior Wallabies but had to leave his homeland to fulfil his full international ambitions. Sione Tuipulotu of the British and Irish Lions celebrates his try against Australia in the first Test at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. | Getty Images On Saturday in Brisbane, Tuipulotu realised his goal and became the first Scotland player to score a try for the Lions in a Test match in 28 years. In doing so, he set the tourists on the path to a 27-19 victory over Australia at Suncorp Stadium, a result that makes them overwhelming favourites to win a series for the first time in 12 years. The Glasgow Warriors player emulates Alan Tait, the last Scot to score a Test try for the Lions on June 21, 1997, the year Tuipulotu was born. It has been a long wait but the mantle has passed from one world class centre to another. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Tait had Gregor Townsend inside him during the series triumph in South Africa; for Tuipulotu, it was Finn Russell pulling the strings, and he did it superbly. Having got the Lions up and running with a nerve-settling penalty in the second minute, the Scotland stand-off then brought the game to life. He firstly put Dan Sheehan into space with a delightful flick of the wrists. From the next phase, he took control, crabbing his way into space before delivering a Hollywood pass to Tuipulotu which missed out at least three Lions team-mates. Tuipulotu gathered gratefully, scored and celebrated in the same way he did after his try against the Wallabies at Murrayfield in November, arms stretched out ahead of him. Point proven. Opening try-scorer Sione Tuipulotu of the British and Irish Lions celebrates with team-mate Finn Russell. | Getty Images Huw Jones, the third member of the Lions' all-Scottish midfield axis, might have been feeling left out but he made his presence felt in the 19th minute. Unfortunately, for Jones his 'try' was disallowed. The outside centre had been tackled by Max Jorgensen a yard short but managed to recover and get over the line. He had not released the ball, though, and although the try was awarded initially, it was chalked off after a TMO check. Lead didn't reflect Lions' dominance Jorgensen, one of the few bright sparks for a hugely disappointing Australian team, dragged the home side back into the game with a try from nowhere when he beat Hugo Keenan in the air and surged for the line. That cut the Lions' lead to 10-6 but Tom Curry increased their advantage before half-time with a score from close range after a period of sustained pressure. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Russell, who converted Tuipulotu's try, was on target again and the Lions went into the changing rooms 17-5 ahead. It was a lead that didn't truly reflect the tourists' first-half dominance. Australia were hanging in there but they were clearly second best, and their rookie fly-half Tom Lynagh was struggling. At one point, he tried to tackle Tuipulotu and just bounced off him. Huw Jones of the British and Irish Lions dives over to score, only for the try to be disallowed on review. | Getty Images By contrast, Russell and Jamison Gibson-Park were running the show for the Lions. Their kicking game was excellent, pinning the Wallabies back in their own half. Special mention too for the back row of Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry and Jack Conan who more than justified their selection. Russell nailed it from the touchline The Lions scored their third - and final - try a minute into the second half and effectively killed the game. Russell and Jones were both involved as Curry stole an Aussie lineout which went over the back. Jones made good yardage and when the ball was recycled he passed it on to Curry who played in Dan Sheehan to score in the corner. Russell nailed the conversion from out on the touchline to push the visitors 24-5 ahead and leave Australia with a mountain to climb. To their credit, they found fresh impetus from the bench and came good in the last quarter, scoring tries through Carlo Tizzano and Tate McDermott. By that point both Tuipulotu and Russell had departed, replaced by Bundee Aki and Marcus Smith, respectively. The Lions lost some of their cohesion and were grateful for the breathing space Smith's penalty gave them in between the two Aussie tries. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The winning margin in the end was only eight points but the Lions will head to Melbourne next weekend with the wind in their sails as they look to clinch the series. Teams and scorers Scorers: Australia: Tries: Jorgensen, Tizzano, McDermott. Con: Donaldson 2. Lions: Tries: Tuipulotu, Curry, Sheehan. Cons: Russell 3. Pens: Russell, M Smith. Australia: T Wright; M Jorgensen, J-A Suaalii, L Ikitau (A Kellaway 68), H Potter; T Lynagh (B Donaldson 61), J Gordon (T McDermott 59); J Slipper (A Bell 49), M Faessler (B Pollard 49), A Alaalatoa (T Robertson 64), N Frost, J Williams (T Hooper, 59), N Champion de Crespigny (C Tizzano 66), F McReight, H Wilson (capt). Lions: H Keenan; T Freeman, H Jones, S Tuipulotu (B Aki 58), J Lowe; F Russell (M Smith 66), J Gibson-Park ( A Mitchell 74); E Genge (A Porter 48), D Sheehan (R Kelleher 62), T Furlong (W Stuart 58), M Itoje (capt), J McCarthy (O Chessum 43), T Beirne, T Curry (B Earl 58), J Conan.
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Sione Tuipulotu opens up on Australia rejection, debt to Scottish rugby and rooming with Finn Russell
Glasgow centre fuelled by 'chip on shoulder' as he returns to Melbourne Sign up to our Rugby Union newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Sione Tuipulotu returns to Melbourne carrying the chip on his shoulder that has driven his rise to becoming a British and Irish Lion. Tuipulotu has touched down in the city where he was born and raised for what he hopes will become a glorious homecoming given a series triumph over Australia is the prize at stake following Saturday's 27-19 victory in the first Test. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Six years ago he left for Japan, angry that his time at the Melbourne Rebels had failed to produce international recognition beyond the Junior Wallabies and having taken up an offer to play for Glasgow, he qualified for Scotland through his grandmother. Sione Tuipulotu celebrates after scoring the first try for British and Irish Lions in the first Test win over Australia at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday. (Photo by) The 28-year-old has never looked back, going on to captain his adopted homeland while becoming one of the game's finest centres. No longer bitter at being rejected by Australia, he realises the scars have served him well. 'If you had asked me when I first moved from Melbourne I would say yeah, it's personal,' Tuipulotu said. 'There's still a chip on my shoulder. What has got me to this point is having that chip on my shoulder. But in terms of me being bitter about Australian rugby, not at all. 'I wasn't good enough to play for the Wallabies when I was in Melbourne. It wasn't a selector problem, I wasn't good enough, that's plain and simple. I owe everything to Scottish rugby because they've made me the player that I am today. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Now I get the chance to go back to Melbourne and play in my home city and hopefully close out a Test series. The stars have aligned for me and I feel very grateful.' Scotland trio (from left) Huw Jones, Finn Russell and Sione Tuipulotu celebrate after the British & Irish Lions victory over Australia in the first Test match of the series. (Photo by) Tuipulotu was installed at inside centre ahead of Bundee Aki for the series opener in Brisbane and Andy Farrell's decision was rewarded with the Scotland captain's best performance on tour. Recovery from the damaged pectoral muscle that forced him to miss the Six Nations has proved challenging and it is only now that the hard-running, ball-playing midfielder is finding his stride. A first-half try decorated his evening's work at Suncorp Stadium, which was made easier by the presence of his Scotland team-mates Finn Russell and Huw Jones. 'It was such a huge occasion but having Finn inside me and Huw outside me made it pretty special. I'm so familiar with those boys,' he said. 'I've been rooming with Finn this whole week and being around him made me not overreact to the occasion. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It felt like we were playing a Scotland game together because we room together back with Scotland. His nature helps everyone and calms everyone. Then you add to that that he's got one of the best skill sets of any 10 in the world and it's a joy to play with. 'Everyone knows what I think about Huw Jones. It just feels like he's bigger and faster than everyone.' The Lions know Australia will throw everything at them at Melbourne Cricket Ground – and intend hitting back hard.
The Age
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Age
‘There is still a chip on my shoulder': Tuipulotu ready to seal the series in Melbourne
The last time the British and Irish Lions played a Test in Melbourne twelve years ago, a 16-year-old Sione Tuipulotu watched his younger brother Mosese as a proud flag bearer at Docklands Stadium, before cheering on the Wallabies as they squared the series. Next Saturday, Sione will return to Melbourne for the first time in at least three years with the chance to win a Test series against the country he grew up in. But he's keen to stress, it's not personal. 'I think if you asked me when I first moved from Melbourne I would say 'yeah, it is personal and I think there is still a chip on my shoulder',' Tuipulotu said. 'I feel like that's what has got me to this point is having that chip on my shoulder, but in terms of being bitter about Australian rugby I feel like not at all, mate. 'I always say I wasn't good enough to play for the Wallabies when I was in Melbourne, it wasn't a selection problem, I wasn't good enough. 'That's plain and simple but I owe everything to Scottish rugby and now I get a chance to go back to Melbourne and play in my home city and hopefully close out a Test series.' Tuipulotu will have the opportunity to play in front of friends and family at the MCG, including his Scottish grandmother Jaqueline Thomson who famously travelled back to her homeland to catch up with Sione and Mosese ahead of the Wallabies' Test against Scotland last November. In Brisbane, Tuipulotu was reunited with Wallabies centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii whom he tussled with last year in Edinburgh, after the former Roosters star was injured making a tackle.
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘There is still a chip on my shoulder': Tuipulotu ready to seal the series in Melbourne
The last time the British and Irish Lions played a Test in Melbourne twelve years ago, a 16-year-old Sione Tuipulotu watched his younger brother Mosese as a proud flag bearer at Docklands Stadium, before cheering on the Wallabies as they squared the series. Next Saturday, Sione will return to Melbourne for the first time in at least three years with the chance to win a Test series against the country he grew up in. But he's keen to stress, it's not personal. 'I think if you asked me when I first moved from Melbourne I would say 'yeah, it is personal and I think there is still a chip on my shoulder',' Tuipulotu said. 'I feel like that's what has got me to this point is having that chip on my shoulder, but in terms of being bitter about Australian rugby I feel like not at all, mate. 'I always say I wasn't good enough to play for the Wallabies when I was in Melbourne, it wasn't a selection problem, I wasn't good enough. 'That's plain and simple but I owe everything to Scottish rugby and now I get a chance to go back to Melbourne and play in my home city and hopefully close out a Test series.' Tuipulotu will have the opportunity to play in front of friends and family at the MCG, including his Scottish grandmother Jaqueline Thomson who famously travelled back to her homeland to catch up with Sione and Mosese ahead of the Wallabies' Test against Scotland last November. In Brisbane, Tuipulotu was reunited with Wallabies centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii whom he tussled with last year in Edinburgh, after the former Roosters star was injured making a tackle.
Rhyl Journal
3 days ago
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Sione Tuipulotu fuelled by ‘chip on shoulder' as he returns to Melbourne
Tuipulotu has touched down in the city where he was born and raised for what he hopes will become a glorious homecoming given a series triumph over Australia is the prize at stake following Saturday's 27-19 victory in the first Test. Six years ago he left for Japan, angry that his time at the Melbourne Rebels had failed to produce international recognition beyond the Junior Wallabies and having taken up an offer to play for Glasgow, he qualified for Scotland through his grandmother. The 28-year-old has never looked back, going on to captain his adopted homeland while becoming one of the game's finest centres. No longer bitter at being rejected by Australia, he realises the scars have served him well. 'If you had asked me when I first moved from Melbourne I would say yeah, it's personal,' Tuipulotu said. 'There's still a chip on my shoulder. What has got me to this point is having that chip on my shoulder. But in terms of me being bitter about Australian rugby, not at all. 'I wasn't good enough to play for the Wallabies when I was in Melbourne. It wasn't a selector problem, I wasn't good enough, that's plain and simple. 'I owe everything to Scottish rugby because they've made me the player that I am today. 'Now I get the chance to go back to Melbourne and play in my home city and hopefully close out a Test series. The stars have aligned for me and I feel very grateful.' Tuipulotu was installed at inside centre ahead of Bundee Aki for the series opener in Brisbane and Andy Farrell's decision was rewarded with the Scotland captain's best performance on tour. Recovery from the damaged pectoral muscle that forced him to miss the Six Nations has proved challenging and it is only now that the hard-running, ball-playing midfielder is finding his stride. A first-half try decorated his evening's work at Suncorp Stadium, which was made easier by the presence of his Scotland team-mates Finn Russell and Huw Jones. 'It was such a huge occasion but having Finn inside me and Huw outside me made it pretty special. I'm so familiar with those boys,' he said. 'I've been rooming with Finn this whole week and being around him made me not overreact to the occasion. Finn 🤝 Sione Sione gets the first try of the match in Brisbane 👊 — Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) July 19, 2025 'It felt like we were playing a Scotland game together because we room together back with Scotland. 'His nature helps everyone and calms everyone. Then you add to that that he's got one of the best skill sets of any 10 in the world and it's a joy to play with. 'Everyone knows what I think about Huw Jones. It just feels like he's bigger and faster than everyone.' The Lions know Australia will throw everything at them at Melbourne Cricket Ground – and intend hitting back hard. 'We expect them to be desperate but not more desperate than us because we're trying to close out a series next Saturday,' Tuipulotu said. 'We were pretty dominant in the first Test but the good thing for us is that it was nowhere near our best performance.'
