Sione Tuipulotu (rugby union, born February 1997)

Last updated

Sione Tuipulotu
Sione Tuipulotu 2021.jpg
Date of birth (1997-02-12) 12 February 1997 (age 27)
Place of birth Frankston, Victoria, Australia
Height179 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Weight104 kg (229 lb; 16 st 5 lb)
School St. Kevin's College
Notable relative(s) Mosese Tuipulotu, brother
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre
Current team Glasgow Warriors
Senior career
YearsTeamApps(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
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2015–2017 Australia U20 14 (20)
2021– Scotland 25 (10)
2022 Scotland 'A' 1 (0)
Correct as of 25 February 2024

Sione Tuipulotu (born 12 February 1997) is an Australian born Scottish professional rugby union player who primarily plays centre for the Glasgow Warriors in the United Rugby Championship. He represents Scotland at international level, having made his test debut against Tonga during the 2021 Autumn Nations Series. He was appointed a vice Captain of Scotland in 2024.

Contents

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
2016 Rebels 4131020000000
2017 Rebels 404970000000
2018 Rebels 00000000000
2019 Rebels 312780000000
Total11292770000000

International career

Tuipulotu qualifies for Scotland via a grandmother 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]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cooper Vuna</span> Australia & Tonga international rugby player

Kerry Cooper Vuna is a professional rugby footballer who plays on the wing for Newcastle Falcons in Premiership Rugby. He played rugby league as a wing for the New Zealand Warriors and Newcastle Knights in the National Rugby League competition, before switching to rugby union to play Super Rugby for the Melbourne Rebels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Epalahame Lauaki</span> Tongan-New Zealand rugby league footballer

Epalahame "Hame" Lauaki is a Tongan former professional rugby league footballer who last played for the Bradford Bulls in the Championship.

Euan Murray is a retired Scottish rugby union footballer, whose last club was Pau in the French Top 14.

Sione Mone Tu'ipulotu is a Tongan rugby union footballer. His usual position is at scrum-half, but he can also play as a fullback.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lopeti Timani</span> Rugby player

Lopeti Timani is a Tongan professional rugby union player who plays as a lock for United Rugby Championship club Cardiff and the Tonga national team. 

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henry Pyrgos</span> Scotland international rugby union player

Henry Benjamin Pyrgos is a former Scotland international rugby union player and now coach. He is an Assistant Coach at Boroughmuir. He previously played for Edinburgh Rugby in the United Rugby Championship; and is a centurion for Glasgow Warriors, winning the Pro12 title with the club in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gordon Reid (rugby union)</span> Scotland international rugby union player

Gordon Reid is a Scottish international Rugby union player. He plays as a loosehead prop. He now plays for Marr. He previously played for English Premiership sides London Irish and Northampton Saints, the Pro14 side Glasgow Warriors and the Super 6 side Ayrshire Bulls.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pierre Schoeman</span> Scotland international rugby union player

Pierre Schoeman is a professional rugby union player who plays as a prop for United Rugby Championship club Edinburgh Rugby. Born in South Africa, he represents Scotland at international level after qualifying on residency grounds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ali Price</span> British Lions & Scotland international rugby union player

Alistair William Price is a professional rugby union player who plays as a scrum-half for United Rugby Championship club Edinburgh Rugby. Born in England, he represents Scotland at international level after qualifying on ancestry grounds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Dempsey (rugby union)</span> Rugby player

John Francis Dempsey is a professional rugby union player who plays as a number eight for United Rugby Championship club Glasgow Warriors. Born in Australia, he represents Scotland at international level after qualifying on ancestry grounds.

Murray McCallum is a Scottish rugby union player who currently plays for Newcastle Falcons in the Gallagher English Premiership.

Sione Langi Vailanu is a Tongan professional rugby union player who plays as a number eight for United Rugby Championship club Glasgow Warriors and the Tonga national team.

Jamie Dobie Wations is a Scottish professional rugby union player who plays as a scrum-half for United Rugby Championship club Glasgow Warriors and the Scotland national team.

Marshall Sykes is a Scottish rugby union player who currently plays for Edinburgh Rugby in the United Rugby Championship.

Ross Thompson is a Scotland international rugby union player. He plays for Glasgow Warriors in the United Rugby Championship. Thompson's primary position is Flyhalf. Thompson has previously played for the Ayrshire Bulls.

The 2021–22 season will see Glasgow Warriors compete in the competitions: the United Rugby Championship and the European Rugby Champions Cup.

Rufus McLean is a Scotland international rugby union player. He now plays for American Raptors in the Super Rugby Americas. He played for Glasgow Warriors in the United Rugby Championship McLean's primary position is wing or fullback. Whilst at Merchiston Castle School he played every position from 9 to 15.

Sione Tuipulotu is a Tongan rugby union player, who currently plays as a lock or loose forward for Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition and Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby.

The 2022–23 season will see Glasgow Warriors compete in the competitions: the United Rugby Championship and the European Rugby Challenge Cup.

Mosese Tuipulotu is an Australian rugby union player, currently playing for the Waratahs. His preferred position is centre.

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.