Lions' Sione dismisses the Aussie jibes

SIONE Tuipulotu insists the British and Irish Lions must continue to shrug off any provocation during their tour of Australia after their overseas-born contingent were attacked by the Tannoy announcer at Optus Stadium.

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Tuipulotu, one of eight players in Andy Farrell's squad who were born, raised and educated in the southern hemisphere, was among those caught in the crosshairs before Saturday's 54-7 rout of Western Force.

“Another Aussie at number 12, Sione Tuipulotu,” was how the Scotland centre was introduced when the team was read out for the Lions’ opening match on Australian soil.

Mack Hansen, James Lowe and Pierre Schoeman were also referenced by the nation of their birth rather than their adopted country, for whom they have qualified either through residency or family heritage.