A DIFFERENT PATH

Several players born and bred overseas are now Lions. What does it mean to them to wear red?

- JOSH GRAHAM

ONE ARE the days where every Lion grew up dreaming of pulling on the jersey. Now it can become a professional dream rather than a boyhood one. An unbelievable opportunity when circumstances and stars align or even due to divine intervention.

“I didn’t grow up dreaming of playing for Scotland or the Lions - that’s the truth,” explains Sione Tuipulotu, 28. “But this is where my path has led me. I'm all in for this Lions team, for Scotland, for Glasgow, for everything - and I genuinely believe this is where I'm supposed to be anyway. I’ve been led here for a reason.”

A granny from Greenock is responsible for Tuipulotu’s rise from Australia U20 to Scotland captain. The centre was even touted as a potential Lions leader before an untimely pectoral injury saw him miss the Six Nations. That left his selection out of his hands, having not played a game before the squad announcement, but luckily his granny did stay up to hear his name read out from Melbourne.

Tuipulotu admits there was a certain element of ‘imposter syndrome’ when he came over to Glasgow and played for Scotland. He says: “Genuinely in those early days, just to be completely transparent, you have that feeling of, ‘am I part of this?’ I always feel like talking about it is one thing, but showing people how much it means to you with how I play and how I speak is another).

“When my gran came over before the Australia game (last autumn), it allowed the public to put a face to the story, listen to how much it meant to her. I think that gave eyes to the public that my story is authentic.

“Of course, you get those feelings that you want to prove yourself and the best way is on the field to show your commitment that way.”

Rather than a disadvantage or distraction, Tuipulotu says any negativity can help drive his game.

“I think when I play rugby, I play better when there is a chip on my shoulder. That is how I play rugby.