Three years after arriving in this country from Japan as a relative unknown, Sione Tuipulotu has become a figure beloved in Scottish rugby circles.
Quickly establishing himself as a hard-running, hard-tackling, combative centre, the Australian-born back quickly became a fans’ favourite at Glasgow Warriors and then with his adopted national team.
Tuipulotu’s contribution – and his midfield partnership with Huw Jones – was integral to Warriors winning the URC last season, leading to calls for the 27-year-old to be included on next summer’s British and Irish Lions tour and sparking interest in him from a clutch of clubs in England and France.
His progression on the international scene has been just as steady, with 27 caps to his name so far and now an established pick in Gregor Townsend’s starting line-up whenever fit and available.
His importance to the national cause has now risen another notch with Townsend naming Tuipulotu as his captain for the forthcoming Autumn Nations series that includes mouthwatering matches against the Springboks and his native Australia.
Gregor Townsend has promoted Glasgow skipper Sione Tuipulotu to the Scotland captaincy
Sione Tuipulotu has been in outstanding form and has been tipped for the Lions tour
Tuipulotu is as popular in the dressing room as he is among supporters due partly to his all-action style but also because of his gregarious and engaging personality.
While Finn Russell and Rory Darge may feel slightly put out at being deposed as co-captains, it is difficult to find fault with the choice of Tuipulotu as their permanent replacement.
co-captains, it is difficult to find fault with the choice of Tuipulotu as their permanent replacement.
‘We feel he’s been a key leader for us now for the last couple of seasons,’ explained Townsend.
‘He thrives in that leadership role. We’ve seen that with Glasgow but also on the summer tour. We felt this was the right time to name him captain.
‘Last year we wanted to grow our depth of leaders with co-captains throughout the Six Nations, and then the summer tour we had other players that got that opportunity. We still have some real strong leaders to support Sione but we feel he’s the right man right now for the team.
‘It maybe took a little bit to sink in (when Tuipulotu heard the news) but then he talked about how he feels that he plays better when he’s captain. He feels that it really motivates him even more, which is great to hear. Sometimes captains can inhibit players. Sometimes it only dawns on them after.
‘It’s a bit of a distraction or a weight, whereas Sione feels like it’s something that gets him even more motivated during the week to think about the team.
How can he lead them as well? How can he bring the others in? We’ve seen that, so I was delighted. That was the reaction that we got from him.’
Townsend sees in his new captain a figure who will lead both through word and deed, someone who other players will look up to and respect.
‘He’s more than just an emotional leader but he’s someone the players look to, to get the emotion right and what’s needed in that day’s training session,’ he added.
‘He’s also a thinker on the tactical side of the game. Him and Finn work really well in attack, him and Huw work really well in attack, and he’s a defensive leader. When you play at centre you’re a main person in defence.
‘Most importantly, he thrives when he’s been given the captaincy. In the Cardiff (versus Glasgow) game a few weeks ago he was incredible so there are games where he’s taken that responsibility and said, “I’m going to have to lead the team through my carrying or through my defence” and that’s what we want from him.
‘We want him to be even more of a ball carrier. He’s got such a creative way of putting others into space and that’s a threat but his primary threat is taking on defenders. I’m delighted with how he’s started this season.’
Tuipulotu’s stock will only rise should he impress during next month’s series although he jokes that he’s still not even the most popular figure in his own family.
That honour goes to little brother, Mosese, who is named in the Scotland squad for the first time after making the switch to Edinburgh in the summer.
Sione’s brother Mosese has impressed with Edinburgh in his first season in Scotland
The siblings’ Scottish heritage stems from their grandmother, Jacqueline, who hailed originally from Greenock and still follows their progress, thousands of miles from home.
‘The most emotional phone call I’ve ever had was Gregor phoning me to tell me I’ll be Scotland captain but when he phoned to say my brother would be included that was a pretty close second,’ revealed the elder Tuipulotu.
‘Obviously you grow up with your brothers, you see everything they’ve been through to get to this point.
We’re going to be sharing a training environment, and I really want to challenge him to be better along these four weeks.
‘I’m so proud, and I know how much this will mean to my family back home, especially my gran. I haven’t told her yet, but I’m looking forward to telling her.
‘To be honest, we always joke about this but her favourite’s always been Mosese.
I think he was the naughtiest so he spent the most time hiding out at her house so my dad couldn’t get to him. I know my gran will be so proud of him and I’m really looking forward to getting to work with him.
‘My gran always wakes up in the middle of the night and watches me and Mosese’s Glasgow and Edinburgh games.
And my dad always jokes around because the next day, she always watches his games back but never the Glasgow games!
‘Mosese’s the favourite, everyone knows it in the family. I can’t wait until my gran finds out because I know how much it will mean to her.
To be honest, it’s a fairytale to have my brother there in the squad and I’m captain. I just feel really blessed.
‘He’s very similar to me. He’s the most competitive guy I’ve ever met, and I know if his number’s called upon, he will take it with both hands and play with his heart.’
Scotland squad for The Famous Grouse Nations Series:
Forwards: E Ashman, J Bayliss, J Bhatti, G Brown, S Cummings, L Crosbie, A Craig, R Darge, J Dempsey, F Douglas, M Fagerson, Z Fagerson, G Gilchrist, P Harrison, W Hurd, E Johnson, N McBeth, E Millar-Mills, B Muncaster, D Rae, D Richardson, J Ritchie, A Samuel, P Schoeman, R Sutherland, M Williamson.
Backs: M Currie, J Dobie, D Graham, A Hastings, G Horne, R Hutchinson, H Jones, T Jordan, B Kinghorn, S McDowall, H Paterson, A Price, A Reed, K Rowe, F Russell, M Tuipulotu, S Tuipulotu, D van der Merwe, B White.
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