- Sione Tuipulotu is Scotland’s new rugby captain
- Born in Victoria, played for Junior Wallabies
- Qualifies for Scotland by his grandmother
Melbourne grandmother Jaqueline Thomson is the inspiration behind Scotland’s new rugby captain – who also happens to be a former Junior Wallaby.
Sione Tuipulotu, 27, was born in Victoria and represented the Melbourne Rebels between 2016 and 2019.
But with limited opportunities at Super Rugby level, he decided to test himself overseas.
Hard running centre Tuipulotu moved to Japan and then Scotland, where he joined the Glasgow Warriors in 2020.
His electric performances at club level soon saw him called up to the national team, and he has been a revelation in 29 Tests.
So when Scotland coach Gregor Townsend was looking for a new skipper, he had no hesitation in handing the honour to Tuipulotu.
Adding to the occasion is younger sibling Mosese Tuipulotu – also a centre – being named to play in the 45-man squad ahead of international matches in November.
The siblings qualify for the Scottish national side through their maternal grandmother Thomson, who grew up in Greenock, outside Glasgow.
Melbourne born Sione Tuipulotu was recently named Scotland’s new rugby captain
Sione Tuipulotu and his brother Mosese qualify for the Scottish national side through their maternal grandmother Jaqueline Thomson, (pictured) who grew up outside Glasgow
She then emigrated to Australia and settled in Frankston, in Melbourne’s south-east.
Understandably, she was beaming with pride once news filtered through about two of her treasured grandsons.
‘We are very, very close. They have always been good to me, very respectful and kind. What else could I be but proud of them?’ Thomson told the Sydney Morning Herald.
‘I love the game and I always watch when they are playing during the night. It’s usually at 3am in the morning.
‘But that’s fine – I love it. It’s a chance to see them, too. Because I miss them.’
Tuipulotu told reporters in Scotland that Thomson played a massive part in the families upbringing.
‘My parents used to work pretty hard, so we [boys] would go and stay over at my grandma’s house,’ he said.
Sione Tuipulotu is the second Australian to captain Scotland, following the footsteps of former Wallaby Doug Keller in 1949.
