How a Melbourne grandmother born outside Glasgow inspired a Junior Wallaby to be Scotland’s new captain

Melbourne grandmother Jaqueline Thomson is the inspiration behind Scotland’s new rugby captain, who is also a former Wallaby Junior.

Sione Tuipulotu, 27, was born in Victoria and represented the Melbourne Rebels between 2016 and 2019.

But with limited opportunities at Super Rugby level, he decided to try himself abroad.

Running center Tuipulotu moved to Japan and then Scotland, where he joined the Glasgow Warriors in 2020.

His electrifying performances at club level soon led to his call-up to the national team, and he has been a revelation in 29 Tests.

Therefore, when Scotland coach Gregor Townsend was looking for a new captain, he did not hesitate to hand over the honor to Tuipulotu.

Adding to the occasion is the appointment of his younger brother, Mosese Tuipulotu, also a centre-back, to play in the 45-man squad ahead of the November internationals.

The brothers qualify for the Scottish national team through their maternal grandmother Thomson, who grew up in Greenock, just outside Glasgow.

He then emigrated to Australia and settled in Frankston, southeast of Melbourne.

She was understandably beaming with pride once news leaked about two of her precious grandchildren.

‘We are very, very close. They have always been good to me, very respectful and kind. What else could I be but proud of them? Thomson told the Sydney Morning Herald.

‘I love the game and I always watch when they play during the night. It is usually at 3 in the morning.

‘But it’s okay, I love it. It is also an opportunity to see them. Because I miss them.’

Tuipulotu told reporters in Scotland that Thomson played a key role in raising the family.

“My parents used to work pretty hard, so we (the kids) would go and stay at my grandmother’s house,” he said.

Sione Tuipulotu is the second Australian to captain Scotland, following in the footsteps of former Wallaby Doug Keller in 1949.