Chips are down as Sione makes emotional return

SIONE Tuipulotu returns to Melbourne carrying the chip on his shoulder that has driven his rise to becoming a British and Irish Lion.

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Tuipulotu has touched down in the city where he was born and raised for what he hopes will become a glorious homecoming given a series triumph over Australia is the prize at stake following Saturday's 27-19 victory in the first Test.

Six years ago he left for Japan, angry that his time at Melbourne Rebels had failed to produce international recognition beyond the Junior Wallabies and having taken up an offer to play for Glasgow, as he qualified for Scotland through his grandmother.

The 28-year-old has never looked back, going on to captain his adopted homeland while becoming one of the game's finest centres.

No longer bitter at being rejected by Australia, he realises the scars have served him well.

"If you had asked me when I first moved from Melbourne I would say yeah, it's personal," Tuipulotu said.