The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Tuipulotu aiming to repay fans
Sione Tuipulotu felt he finally got a taste of the proper Murrayfield experience against the All Blacks – and he’s determined to sign off the Autumn with a win for those fans.
The Australian-born centre has had a concerted run in the centre for Scotland in 2022, and many think he had his best game against New Zealand.
“I’m not sure if it was my best game or not,” he said.
“I just know I’ve never experienced an atmosphere like that before.
“I had a feeling getting off the bus. I’ve obviously played at Murrayfield before but there was a different buzz in the air when we hopped off the bus.
“It was a little bit noisier and after the haka I could feel it was bigger than any other game I’ve been involved in.
“That was amazing to be a part of. I’m just grateful for the chance to have been out there.
“It’s a weird thing to say now but you grow up watching the All Blacks play. They’re the big team in the world that everyone wants to play.
“I am grateful I got that opportunity. But we were in that game to win and I’m just disappointed we didn’t finish them off.”
Argentina are up next – for the fourth time in four months – and the Scots are determined to finish the year on a high note.
“The games in the summer should give us massive motivation,” he continued.
“But I suppose the boys and Gregor (Townsend) are probably annoyed at talking about motivation, effort and all that stuff.
“We want to go out there and get a result as that’s all people really care about. All that type of other stuff helps give you that extra bit of motivation but we have to be clinical this weekend and walk away with the win and nothing else.
“It was disappointing going down narrowly to Australia and New Zealand but if we put a statement down against Argentina this weekend it will put us in good stead coming into the Six Nations and then ultimately the World Cup.”
Tuipulotu has quickly assumed the role of a leader on the team, and his ability to play with three different stand-offs this autumn has required all of that.
“I’d be lying to you if I said that it’s exactly the same,” he said.
“Every player is different. But it’s something you have to adapt to in Test rugby.
“The team isn’t the same every week. At the weekend Finn (Russell) came in and Chris Harris was back in the mix, two pretty experienced guys.
“You won’t hear any complaining from me about playing outside Finn Russell and inside Chris Harris.”
Meanwhile Ireland captain Johnny Sexton insists he would rather beat Australia than be crowned world player of the year.
Fly-half Sexton has declared himself fit to face the Wallabies after missing last week’s underwhelming 35-17 success over Fiji due to a dead leg.
The 37-year-old has guided his country to a Six Nations Triple Crown, a historic tour win in New Zealand, the top of the global rankings and victory over world champions South Africa this year.
He was previously named World Rugby’s player of the year in 2018 but, ahead of Saturday’s autumn finale in Dublin, said he is more interested in producing on the field than individual accolades.
“It’s always nice to be recognised like that, I’m not going to lie,” Sexton said of his nomination.
“It’s not something you go searching for but to be recognised in that area is very special.
“I would prefer a win and to play well on Saturday than win that, because ultimately at the end of the day it’s opinion.”
Sexton has been shortlisted for the award alongside Ireland and Leinster team-mate Josh van der Flier, South Africa centre Lukhanyo Am and France captain Antoine Dupont.