EDINBURGH, Scotland — Sione Tuipulotu has quickly risen to prominence as a leading center and Scotland’s new captain in a remarkably short span of time.
However, Tuipulotu, who hails from Australia with Tongan roots, clarified his rapid ascent on Friday, a day ahead of Scotland’s match against Fiji at Murrayfield.
His journey wasn’t a stroke of luck but a result of dedicating himself “heart and soul” to perfecting his skills.
Tuipulotu shared that during his time with the Melbourne Rebels, he felt stagnant until his experience with the Shizuoka Blue Revs in Japan reinvigorated his passion for rugby.
This pivotal moment ultimately led to his move to Scotland amid the COVID pandemic in 2021, a transition made possible through his grandmother’s heritage.
By the end of that year, he made his debut for the Scottish national team against Tonga.
“I’ve never had a clear path laid out for me, but I’ve always held a vision for my future and had faith in my abilities,” he remarked after leading the captain’s run.
“I am truly grateful I chose to come here. My progress has been a byproduct of the immense effort I’ve put into my journey, both with Scotland and Glasgow.
In professional sports, fortune can sometimes smile upon you, especially when you find yourself guided by coaches who share your vision, and I attribute my success to that alignment.”
With 27 international caps already to his name, many are anticipating his inclusion in the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia next year.
When he was appointed captain last week, Scotland’s head coach Gregor Townsend emphasized, “He frequently establishes the emotional atmosphere and mindset our team needs, while also making significant contributions to both our offense and defense.”
Finn Russell and Rory Darge, who co-captained the team during the Six Nations, will serve as vice captains for the autumn series.
Tuipulotu’s mother, Angelina, is set to be present at Murrayfield on Saturday.
Meanwhile, tighthead prop Zander Fagerson may be absent after missing training on Friday due to “personal reasons,” according to Scotland’s reports.
Should Fagerson be unable to play, D’Arcy Rae will step up from the reserves to earn his first cap since 2019.
Uncapped Fin Richardson is also being added to the reserves, having yet to compete for the senior Glasgow squad. He was a development player for Scotland during their summer tour of the Americas.
Due to this test occurring outside the international window, Scotland can only select players from the Glasgow and Edinburgh clubs, sidelining options like English-based tightheads Elliot Millar Mills and Will Hurd.