Sione Tuipulotu
Date of birth (1997-02-12) 12 February 1997
Place of birthFrankston, Victoria, Australia
Height179 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Weight104 kg (229 lb; 16 st 5 lb)
SchoolSt. Kevin's College
Notable relative(s)Mosese Tuipulotu, brother
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre
Current team Glasgow Warriors
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015–2018 Melbourne Rising 32 (64)
2016–2019 Rebels 12 (0)
2018–2021 Shizuoka Blue Revs 13 (15)
2019 Eastern Suburbs 3 (10)
2021– Glasgow Warriors 33 (20)
Correct as of 10 April 2023
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015–2017 Australia U20 14 (20)
2021– Scotland 22 (10)
2022 Scotland 'A' 1 (0)
Correct as of 10 October 2023

Sione Tuipulotu (born 12 February 1997) is an Australian professional rugby union player who primarily plays centre for the Glasgow Warriors in the United Rugby Championship. He has also represented Scotland at international level, having made his test debut against Tonga during the 2021 Autumn Nations Series.

Rugby Union career

Professional career

He made his debut for the Rebels against the Queensland Reds as a late replacement for Tamati Ellison in a 25–23 win for the Rebels, becoming the first ever 'home-grown' player to play for the Rebels.[1]

He signed for the Japanese side Yamaha Júbilo with the intention of playing there in Super Rugby's off-season.[2]

On 1 March 2021 it was announced that Tuipulotu would join Glasgow Warriors at the end of the Japanese Top league season. Tuipuloto said of the move: "I think my play style suit the Warriors' style. I’m a bit of a rugby nerd and I’ve watched a lot of their games – I’ve heard a lot about the speed of the Scotstoun pitch and I’m looking forward to playing that attacking fast style of rugby." Warriors Head Coach Danny Wilson said: "Sione is an exciting talent. He’s Scottish-qualified, and a really physical and powerful ball carrier who can play both centre and wing. His skill set and play style compliments the way we want to play."[3]

He made his debut for the Glasgow club in the 'Clash of the Warriors' pre-season fixture against English side Worcester Warriors at their Sixways Stadium. The Glasgow Warriors won out, winning the match 27 – 22 and taking home the inaugural cup.[4] He made his competitive debut for Glasgow in the 24 September 2021 match against Ulster away at Ravenhill Stadium in the United Rugby Championship – earning the Glasgow Warrior No. 332.[5]

Super Rugby statistics

As of 16 June 2019[6]
SeasonTeamGamesStartsSubMinsTriesConsPensDropsPointsYelRed
2016Rebels4131020000000
2017Rebels404970000000
2018Rebels00000000000
2019Rebels312780000000
Total11292770000000

International career

Tuipulotu has a Scottish grandmother, who hails from Greenock.[7]

In June 2021 Tuipulotu was called up to the Scotland squad for the summer internationals.[8] He was selected to start against Tonga in the match scheduled for 29 October 2021.[9]

He made his Scotland debut against Tonga on 30 October 2021. Scotland won the match 60 - 14.[10]

He was capped by Scotland 'A' on 25 June 2022 in their match against Chile.[11]

He scored his first Scotland points with 2 tries against Argentina on 19 November 2022.

In 2023 Tuipolotu was selected in Scotland's 33 player squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.[12]

References

  1. ↑ Ward, Roy (13 March 2016). "Melbourne Rebels' home-grown star Sione Tuipulotu makes Super Rugby debut". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 22 October 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  2. ↑ "Rebels in Japan". melbournerebels.rugby. 4 December 2018. Archived from the original on 22 October 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  3. ↑ "Tuipulotu agrees Glasgow move". Glasgow Warriors. Archived from the original on 4 June 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  4. ↑ "Worcester Warriors 22–27 Glasgow Warriors". Glasgow Warriors. Archived from the original on 11 September 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  5. ↑ "Glasgow Warriors on Twitter: "An unforgettable occasion for our 5⃣ new Warriors tonight, despite the result. #329 @BradThyer #330 @siberghan #331 Jack Dempsey #332 Sione Tuipulotu #333 @m4gnet_ Welcome to the club, lads. #WeAreWarriors… https://T.co/HRoOuMFoTG"". Archived from the original on 25 September 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2021. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  6. ↑ "Player Statistics". its rugby. Archived from the original on 22 October 2021. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  7. ↑ "Who is Sione Tuipulotu and is he Scotland's next centre?". www.rugbypass.com. Archived from the original on 11 September 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  8. ↑ "Scotland: Seventeen uncapped players in squad for summer Tests". BBC. 1 June 2021. Archived from the original on 1 June 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  9. ↑ David Barnes (27 October 2021). "Scotland v Tonga: Gregor Townsend names eight new caps in squad for Autumn opener". The Offside Line. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  10. ↑ "Scotland v Tonga".
  11. ↑ "Chile v Scotland A".
  12. ↑ "Scotland squad named for Rugby World Cup 2023". Scottish Rugby Union.


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