Stunning Lions display from Australian-born Sione Tuipulotu should be Wallabies’ wake-up call

Lions centre Sione Tuipulotu will miss the second Test with injury. But the truth is he should be flying the flag for Australian rugby. Quade Cooper on the one that got away for the Wallabies.

When I watched Sione Tuipulotu score that first try against us for the British & Irish Lions last week, I was personally so happy for him knowing his journey.

He deserves all the flowers he’s getting. But I’m also a Wallabies fan — so it hit both ways. Pure joy for him, and real pain seeing a guy who should be playing for Australia doing it against us.

The fact he opened the scoring felt fitting, almost poetic, given everything he’s been through and how overlooked he was here. To go from struggling to get a crack at club level with Melbourne to now starring on the world stage, captaining Scotland and representing the Lions — it’s a bitter pill to swallow.

Sione Tuipulotu scores the opening try for the Lions

While I was disappointed to see him miss out on the chance to play in his hometown of Melbourne, this won’t be the last we will see of him.

I’ve known Sione for a long time. Played with him at the Rebels. My first proper encounter with him was back in the NRC — Brisbane City vs Melbourne — and he was absolutely into me. Lipping up, relentless.

I thought, “Who is this guy?”

But once we became teammates, I saw what made him special. He was sharp, talented, and had this energy that lifted everyone.

Now-Lions star Sione Tuipulotu (left) was unearthed by the Melbourne Rebels a decade ago. Picture: AAP

He connected with all types of people, from every culture and background, and made the group tighter because of it.

At training, he was next level. He’d carve us up regularly. One of the fastest in the squad, strong, explosive, unreal footwork, and elite communication. All the no-look passes and subtle touches he’s pulling off now? He was doing them back then too.

So the real question is — how was he allowed to leave? How did we not see what was right in front of us?

It clearly wasn’t about his skill set. If anything, I think his personality might’ve been misread.

Maybe some thought he wasn’t serious enough because of his humour or how relaxed he was at times.

Sione Tuipulotu (R) has a carefree nature and relaxed humour that helps bond teams. Picture: Colleen Petch.

But to us, as teammates, that was part of his magic. He brought balance. He knew when to lighten the mood and when to lock in.

He was professional, driven, and a genuinely good human to have in the environment.

The irony is Andy Farrell said one of the first things he loved about Sione was his personality. That hit home for me.

What might’ve been seen as a reason to question him here was seen as a strength overseas — and now he’s flourishing because of it.

Sione should be flying the flag for Australian rugby. He’s the type of player the game here needs at the forefront.

To see him thriving elsewhere isn’t just a feel-good story — it’s a wake-up call. We missed it. We let him walk.

And now he’s come back not just to play against us, but to remind us what we lost.

I’m proud of him. But this one hurts.

Not because of what he’s achieved – but because he should’ve been doing it in gold.

Originally published as Stunning Lions display from Australian-born Sione Tuipulotu should be Wallabies’ wake-up call