How an AUSTRALIAN born player is set to give Joseph Suaalii his biggest Wallabies challenge yet - and the pair have on-field history
Sione Tuipulotu grew up in the Victorian suburb of Frankston, but with limited opportunities in Super Rugby with the Melbourne Rebels, he first headed overseas in 2018 to Japan.
Now he is the Scottish captain, qualifying on ancestry grounds.
Tuipulotu, 28, successfully went after Suaalii at Murrayfield last November when the hosts won 27-13 - and the centre is well aware Rugby Australia's $5million dollar man will want revenge at Suncorp Stadium.
With tension mounting, Suaalii hit Tuipulotu hard in a fierce tackle, only to injure himself in the process.
The players had to be separated as Tuipulotu sledged Suaalii, who countered with 'see you next time.'
But when pressed about the matter this week, Suaalii refused to add fuel to the fire.
'I feel like there's been a lot of talk around that moment, but at the end of the day it's just a game of footy,' the 21-year-old told reporters.
'I'm a big believer that whatever is said on the field, stays on the field.
'I'm just focused on what I can do for the team, that's it. I'm not going to speak on it, to be fair.
'I always focus on myself first before I put my energy into someone else.
'Obviously fans want to see a rivalry and all that....but at the end of the day, it's a team sport and I'm just trying to do the best for the team.'
Tuipulotu revealed recently Wallabies analyst Eoin Toolan warned him to stop talking up the simmering rivalry with the former NRL star at the Sydney Roosters.
'I don't want to put any targets on my back,' Tuipulotu said.
'He's told me to stop talking on these podcasts about Joey, cause he says he's raring to go.'
Tuipulotu is the only one of three Australians in the Lions tour party to be picked in Andy Farrell's Test 23.
Winger Mack Hansen hurt his foot in training while prop Finlay Bealham was overlooked.
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