Tuipulotu agrees Glasgow move

Glasgow Warriors have continued their strong recruitment drive ahead of the 2021/22 season, with exciting Scottish-qualified centre Sione Tuipulotu becoming the club’s latest new arrival ahead of the upcoming campaign.

The
24-year-old – who qualifies for Scotland through his Glaswegian grandmother
– joins from Japanese side Yamaha Jubilo, and will link up with Danny
Wilson’s squad following the conclusion of the current Top League season.

A dynamic
ball-carrier with impressive footwork, the Franklin, Australia-born centre made
history in 2016 by becoming the first homegrown player to represent the
Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby.

Standing at
5’11” and weighing in at 102kg, the centre made 11 appearances for the
franchise in total before moving to Yamaha Jubilo in 2020 for his second stint
with the Japanese side.

He made
three appearances prior to the COVID-19 enforced curtailment of the Top League,
scoring his first try in a Yamaha jersey against Kobelco Steelers.

Equally
adept on the wing as he is in midfield, Tuipulotu has also impressed in
Australia’s National Rugby Championship, scoring 12 tries in 32 appearances for
Melbourne Rising.

He was part
of the Australia squad for the World Rugby U20 Championships in 2015, 2016 and
2017, scoring a brace against a Scotland side containing future team-mates
Scott Cummings and Zander Fagerson in the 2016 tournament.

“I’m really excited for the next chapter in my
rugby journey,” Tuipulotu told glasgowwarriors.org.

“I’ve been
talking to Danny for quite some time and for this to come to fruition is pretty
exciting.

“I’ve been
enjoying my rugby in Japan and I’m looking to give it my all this season before
coming to Glasgow.

“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.

“I’m
absolutely fizzing to get over to Scotland, earn the boys respect and get the
season underway.”

On the
signing of Tuipulotu, Glasgow 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.

“We’re look
forward to welcoming him to Scotstoun in summer.”