Who is Sione Tuipulotu and is he Scotland's next centre?
The cacophonous Tuipulotu clan fell silent when Jaqueline Anne Thomson strode into the room, her Clydeside rasp as piercing as if she had just hopped off the plane from Glasgow. So many decades in the suburbs of Melbourne, yet the linguistic hallmark of home has never waned.
Sione, the middle child of five siblings, chuckled as he spun a few yarns about his grandmother, the undisputed family matriarch. She is deeply special to all of the Tuipulotus, but it is her roots that have given the powerful back a pathway from Japan to Glasgow Warriors, European rugby, and maybe, just maybe, the international stage.
Jaqueline emigrated from Glasgow to Melbourne as a young woman, met an Italian man and raised her children in Frankston, on the city’s southeast fringes. Her daughter, Sione’s mother, married a Tongan labourer-cum-nightclub bouncer, but even hulking Tuhefohe did not strike as much fear into his unruly kids as Jaqueline.
“Everyone thinks we got the worst hidings from our Tongan side, but it was actually from our grandma,” Tuipulotu told RugbyPass. “When she’s angry, she’s angry. She’s got a bit of a reputation at family gatherings. She hass still got her full accent and stands out in our family as a bit of a cult figure.
“Me and my brothers are pretty grateful that we spent a lot of time around her growing up when my mum and dad were working. We grew up with a lot of her discipline. I remember little things at her house. She had a big fireplace which we loved. She never really had cable TV. We did things with her that we have always held close as we have grown up. She had a massive library and would always try and make us read, but as boys we just wanted to go outside and trash her yard.”
Pace ?
Power ?
Footwork ?
Defence ?Let us introduce you to Sione Tuipulotu…#WhateverItTakes ???? pic.twitter.com/JLoOqrFG3j
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) March 1, 2021
Jaqueline is not prone to histrionics, but her smile spread as broad as the Clyde when she learned her grandson would represent the city she left all those years ago. It is an extraordinary tale, and Tuipulotu might not be telling it all had he succumbed to the influences of his youth.
A rugby scholarship at the prestigious St Kevin’s College yanked him from a perilous routine. Frankston is dear to him, but as a wild and impressionable kid, it offered too many distractions, too great a pull from the straight and narrow. “I loved it down there, but in my teenage years, I was hanging out with the wrong crowd, I was easily influenced and basically just going to school because I had to, or not going at all.
“There was a point where my dad was going to send me to Tonga because he thought that would be the best way to discipline me. But when I got the opportunity at St Kevin’s it honestly saved my life in a way.”
Every morning, Tuipulotu would be up by six. He rode a train an hour into the city, then another for 20 minutes to school itself. He became immersed in his studies, learned the importance of honest toil and taking pride in one’s endeavours.
“I couldn’t hang around places; I always had to be on the move,” he explained. “I’d finish school and then have rugby training or touch training or athletics training. Then I’d go to the library and most nights I would be getting home at 8-9pm. I wasn’t bored. I’m grateful for that opportunity and it put me in the position to achieve my dreams early in my career.
“When I was a bit younger, I probably thought that the whole world was against me. I was frustrated, not engaged in any academics, but when I moved to St Kevin’s I just saw another side of life. It’s a very diverse school where you have got kids whose parents are really wealthy and others whose parents put 50 per cent of their salaries into school fees. That diversity made me embrace the culture and put me on the right path, not only for my rugby but for my academics.”
Only recently at 24 has it dawned on Tuipulotu how gravely his family flirted with the breadline back then and how much his parents sacrificed to give their children what they never had. Tuhefohe was crate-shifter by day and a terror-inducing doorman by night. Typical of many Tongan men, his manner was silent but lethal – he could floor you with a look just as soon as a punch.
He turned 50 last week. His business is flourishing and the milestone birthday sparked reflection and gratitude in Tuipulotu. “My mum and dad were busting arse trying to keep food on the table,” he said. “Dad started off unloading containers in a warehouse and working the nightclubs. Slowly, as we got older, he took over the warehousing business and now he just works from home, owns his own warehousing business and sends all the labourers out.
“What is most inspiring for me is that he put it all back into his kids. Even though he started becoming successful, he constantly reinvested in his children, trying to put us in the right environments to succeed. I’m so grateful for that. It’s instilled perseverance in me.”
As Tuipulotu grew older, professional rugby crystallised from a distant dream to a very tangible possibility. The Melbourne Rebels were formed in 2010 and the centre became the first home-grown player to represent the franchise in Super Rugby. He feasted on the wisdom of the giants around him. Kiwi Tamati Ellison was a beacon of knowledge and advice.
“I’ve always been a good, powerful runner with footwork and speed, but being around those senior players like Tamati made me think, nah, I want to be good at passing and kicking, I want to better my game. I learned little intricacies in communication, positioning, even body language.
“Being around young players now, even though I have just turned 24, these are things that I pass on. What Tamati taught me were not necessarily big, game-changing skills, just little things that you can add to your game whether it’s the slightest bit of communication, technique alteration or positioning.”
Rugby took him next to Japan where he signed a short-term deal with Yamaha Jubilo in 2018, playing alongside his cousin and Tongan international Viliami Tahitu’a. He loved Yamaha so much that he has been back for two more Top League seasons – former Edinburgh lock Murray Douglas is a current teammate – and steeped himself in the ways of the Japanese.
ICYMI | Dynamic Scottish-qualified centre/wing Sione Tuipulotu became our latest new signing ahead of 2021/22 earlier today, and the man himself can't wait to pull on the Glasgow jersey.
Read: https://t.co/j06BOoRlt5#WhateverItTakes ???? pic.twitter.com/Li9drI6hH7
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) March 1, 2021
The club is located in the coastal city of Iwata, around 130 miles south-west of Tokyo. Western comforts are few and the contrast with home stark. “It’s not like having the bright lights of Tokyo flashing. I couldn’t get away with taking shortcuts, and they hold you accountable to how you act in the team and embrace Japanese culture. That is probably what attracted me to Yamaha in the first place. I fell in love with all the little things about the club.
“We don’t have a Samu Kerevi or the big Test stars of a Suntory, Kobe or Panasonic. Our biggest name is probably Kwagga Smith, the Springbok. But we are a team that really punches above our weight. We have consistently been a top-four side and winning most of the time is fun. We have culture of being hard-working and if you come and play us, it’s not going to be an easy game, we’re going to make it ugly.”
On Saturday, Tuipulotu played on the wing as Yamaha shellacked NEC Green Rockets 59-31. He is happy to flit around the backline, his dynamism, agility and off-loading razzle burning to the fore. Chuck him into the Glasgow mix with Sam Johnson, Nick Grigg, Robbie Fergusson, Stafford McDowall and a fit-again Kyle Steyn next season and the Warriors midfield packs serious ammunition.
Tuipulotu has spoken to Danny Wilson in great detail about the kind of game he brings to the table and how it meshes with the coach’s plan. He has also had tantalising chats with Gregor Townsend and will not conceal his yearning to one day crack Test rugby.
“I was really excited to talk to Gregor (Townsend) and I have the ambition – that’s obvious. I wouldn’t have a reason to go to Scotland if I didn’t have that ambition. But after my chats with Danny, my mindset is just around going to Glasgow, making the best impression on the boys there through those early times. Having a new team environment, you really want to earn that new group of boys’ respect early.
“I’ve watched a lot of Glasgow. I see those guys like Sammy Johnson and Huw Jones and I could just see myself playing that style of rugby. There is the 4G pitch, but just from watching the games, it seems like a team that really enjoys attacking and that is a mindset that I have grown up with, to have the want to attack and to pull the trigger from anywhere.”
Tuipulotu is encouraged too by what he sees in the Scottish production line. As an U20s international, he played for Australia against Scotland in the 2016 Junior World Championship, coming up against Zander Fagerson, Scott Cummings, Gloucester-bound Adam Hastings and a spree of current caps. After the rugby, the young boys did what young boys do, and tore up the tiles of Salford.
“In our first game we actually lost to Scotland and then we played them later down the road and got one back on them. We actually got to know those boys pretty well. We had a couple of nights out with Adam and those boys who play for Glasgow. In the game, we were all going, ‘Get that 10! Get that 10!’ We were looking at him with the hair and the whole gig, and then we saw him out in Tiger Tiger in Manchester and he was actually a good bloke. He was a bit of a lightweight that night. I have heard he is leaving, but to see him playing over there and playing well for Glasgow – it’s funny how rugby works.”
Funny indeed. A kaleidoscope of nationalities and cultures, Tuipulotu will move to Scotland in June. His nineteen-year-old brother Mosese is now with the Waratahs and you can bet Scottish rugby will be keeping a close eye on his progress. Back in Australia, with no interest in satellite TV or a functioning smartphone, Jaqueline will struggle to watch the boy don the colours of her city. But the pride will be coursing through her all the same – even if she doesn’t show it.
You can't make this stuff up, Brodie Retallick is owning the Top League this year. ? https://t.co/Cz9MdC1nUk
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 8, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
Not sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
24 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
1 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
24 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
24 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
4 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
4 Go to comments