Sione Tuipulotu (pictured) has laughed off sledges from the stadium announcer at the Optus Stadium
Share this @internewscast.com

Sione Tuipulotu has laughed off a series of pre-match sledges strategically made by the stadium announcer at the Optus Stadium on Saturday night. 

Tensions were high as the Lions got their tour of Australia off to a flying start with a 54-7 victory against the Western Force.

But it was not the warmest of welcomes to Perth, with the stadium announcer firing barbs at several of the Lions’ southern hemisphere-born stars.

Mack Hansen, originally from Canberra, James Lowe from New Zealand, and Pierre Schoeman, born in Nelspruit, South Africa, along with Tuipulotu, were all subject to scrutiny.

‘The Aussie at No 14, Mack Hansen,’ the announcer said as he reeled off the team list.

‘Another Aussie at No 12, Sione Tuipulotu,’ he added. ‘The Kiwi now Irishman, James Lowe.

Sione Tuipulotu (pictured) has laughed off sledges from the stadium announcer at the Optus Stadium

Sione Tuipulotu (pictured) has laughed off sledges from the stadium announcer at the Optus Stadium

It came as the Lions beat the Western Force 54-7 on Saturday night at the Optus Stadium

It came as the Lions beat the Western Force 54-7 on Saturday night at the Optus Stadium

‘At prop, the former South Africa schoolboy, now Scotsman, Pierre Schoeman.’

Tuipulotu, who hails from Frankston, Victoria, says he was prepared for some banter, despite his efforts to unsettle the Lions players.

‘I knew there would be some good humour coming back home to Australia,’ he said.

‘Look, these are all things we’ve got to take in our stride.

‘To not announce the elephant in the room, I am from Australia. You know, I was born here.

‘I don’t know how funny that gag is to everyone.

‘Nevertheless, I’m thoroughly enjoying playing rugby for the Lions and have a lot of passion for it. Andy [Farrell] has united the team exceptionally well. Playing under a coach of his caliber, I understand why Ireland has had past successes.’

The heritage of some of the Lions squad members has been a hotly discussed topic in the build-up to the tour.

Tuipulotu was born in Melbourne and previously played for the Melbourne Rebels, Shizuoka Blue Revs in Japan before moving to join Glasgow

Tuipulotu was born in Melbourne and previously played for the Melbourne Rebels, Shizuoka Blue Revs in Japan before moving to join Glasgow 

It comes as Australia coach Joe Schmidt brought up the subject of some of the Lions' southern-hemisphere born player

It comes as Australia coach Joe Schmidt brought up the subject of some of the Lions’ southern-hemisphere born player

Australia boss Joe Schmidt brought up the subject when speaking on the Lions’ centres Bundee Aki and Tuipulotu.

The Australia coach had called the Ireland and Scotland stars the ‘southern hemisphere centre partnership,’ but later apologised for the comment, adding that ‘it wasn’t meant to be a swipe or a jibe at all’.

‘In fact, it was sloppy from me because someone had just been talking to me and described it as that [“the southern hemisphere midfield partnership”], and then I used their words. I should have just stuck to my own words.

‘I’m a big believer in the values of the game, so is Faz [Lions head coach Andy Farrell]. I’ve never seen Faz stirring the pot. His energy goes into the team, not into stirring the pot.’

The former Ireland coach added that he had ‘massive respect’ for the Lions players.

‘It would be great for this tour to be talked about in terms of being a celebration of rugby. And I know that Faz is of the same mind, and so hopefully it can be a really positive celebration of rugby.’

However, Scotland fly-half Finn Russell told the BBC took to the defence of his team-mates.

‘For me, as a Scot, I have no issues with them being born in New Zealand or Australia,’ the Bath star said.

Aussie rugby legend David Campese also hit out at the Lions for their squad selection

Aussie rugby legend David Campese also hit out at the Lions for their squad selection 

‘Everyone has their different background and different path into rugby and where we are now. These boys definitely deserve their spot in the team.’

Aussie rugby legend David Campese has also called out Andy Farrell’s side for having too many ‘Australian Islanders’ on their books.

He dubbed the tourists ‘the British and Irish and Pacific Island Lions’.

‘The Irish Lions, sorry, the British and Irish and Pacific Island Lions, I’m going to call them, because you’ve got so many Australian Islanders in there. It is going to be a very interesting game.’

Tuipulotu, meanwhile, enjoyed an excellent outing alongside Garry Ringrose on Saturday afternoon against the Western Force.

A pectoral injury saw the Glasgow centre miss out on Scotland’s Six Nations campaign.

But back in the fold for a Test start at the Suncorp Stadium on July 19, Tuipulotu is enjoying being back on the footy pitch.

‘I’m starting to get my feet back underneath me,’ he said.

‘Obviously, I haven’t played Test rugby since the autumn. I still feel like I’ve got massive growth to do and I know I can start playing my best rugby in the bigger games at the end of this tour.’

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Fans have turned on Keith Urban after it was revealed he has split from his wife of 19 years, Nicole Kidman. Both pictured

Fans Harshly Criticize Keith Urban Following Surprise Separation from Nicole Kidman: ‘You’ve Lost the Best Thing That Ever Happened to You’

Fans have turned on Keith Urban after it was revealed he has…
New CCTV released of missing New Zealand teen

New Security Footage Shows Missing New Zealand Teen

Police have released new photos of a missing New Zealand teenager. Seventeen-year-old…

JK Rowling Criticizes Emma Watson for ‘Lack of Understanding’ in Trans Rights Debate

Harry Potter creator JK Rowling criticized Emma Watson for her thoughts on…

Controversy Surrounds Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia: Here’s Why

A comedy festival in Saudi Arabia has drawn criticism from human rights…
Queensland Health in damage control over radiology reports bungle

Queensland Health Scrambles to Manage Radiology Report Errors

Queensland Health authorities are attempting to reach 9000 patients who underwent scans…

Optus Faces New Criticism Over Triple-Zero Outage, with Albanese Stating It ‘Let Customers Down’

Optus says it is working with communications technology company Ericsson to determine…
Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu

Hamas Under Strain: Urged to Consider Trump’s Gaza Peace Proposal

After enduring months of allegations regarding genocide, global isolation, and worldwide demands…
Trump threatens retribution as US government teeters on brink of shutdown

Trump Warns of Consequences While US Government Faces Possible Shutdown

As a government shutdown looms mere hours away, Democrats and Republicans are…
Photo of Trump team member's phone reveals major concerns

Photo of Phone from Trump Team Member Raises Significant Concerns

A member of the Trump administration has seemingly raised a red flag…
US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth

“US Defense Secretary: Combat Troops Must Meet Top Male Standards”

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth called together hundreds of US military leaders…

Gaza Peace Plan Awaits Hamas Decision Following Support from Trump and Netanyahu

A US-sponsored ceasefire proposal for Gaza is hinging on Hamas’s response to…
Jim Chalmers press conference interrupted by 'scared' woman

“Fearful Woman Interrupts Treasurer’s Press Conference with Urgent Plea”

A local resident interrupted Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ press conference in Queensland to…