mens
nations-championship
Sione Tuipulotu’s lifetime of experience against his Australian opponents will help cement him Scotland captain for reaction on Sunday.
Both teams enter the Nations Championship a game with something to prove after a similar disappointment last weekend.
Scotland went down 43-21 at home New Zealand while the Wallabies lost to England 45-22.
Tuipulotu revealed Gregor Townsend’s team had “faced” their shortcomings as he expects Australia be triggered after a fourth consecutive defeat.
The match has added significance for the 29-year-old, who could face childhood friend Isaac Kaile if the prop comes off the bench.
Kailea revealed this week that he viewed Tuipulota as a cousin given how close their families were, often playing rugby in the gardens of their suburban Melbourne homes.
Tuipulotu, who shook off his knee, said: “I’m super proud of Isaac. I spent my whole childhood with him and his family. We were all very close.”
“The games could be quite violent at times and would often become completely detached from rugby. Sometimes it wouldn’t even be about rugby. There were times when there wasn’t even a ball.”
The Glasgow the centre, who qualifies for Scotland through his Greenock-born grandmother, captained Townsend’s side to victory over Australia two years ago and scored the first try in the British and Irish Lions’ win over his native country last year.
“If I’m honest, I think I’ll always have that little bit of fire whenever I play against the Wallabies,” he said.
“I’ve done that a few times before, both with Scotland and the Lions. But there’s a bigger picture than just looking at me and my history with Australia.”
“Our minds are firmly set on coming back after last week. That performance was not good enough. We know that and we want to put it right.”
“It’s always difficult to watch the tape after a loss like that where we missed some big opportunities and let ourselves down in certain areas.
“As a group we faced it and I was very proud of the boys in terms of how they came together this week.
“We know Australia will also be a wounded team coming here after what happened against them England at Twickenham.
“I’m even thinking about Lions after the first test. Australia came back in the second and third Tests with real vigour.
“I can only imagine what was going on in their meetings this week. It’s similar to us in terms of wanting to get back out there and give a better account of ourselves.”
“I certainly don’t expect them to come here and just lie down. I expect their performance to be much better, but I would say the same for us.”