Graeme Macpherson

VIEW FROM THE TOUCHLINE

It’s never easy trying to follow an elder sibling in any walk of life but what a challenge lies ahead for Mosese Tuipulotu.

When the news first broke in March 2021 that big brother Sione would be leaving Japanese rugby to sign for Glasgow it was met largely with a shrug of indifference.

After all, another Aussie with a relatively modest track record moving here to try to advance their international prospects was hardly ground-breaking news.

Tuipulotu, though, has turned out to be one of the most-inspired transfers for many a year.

Warriors had claimed in their signing announcement that Tuipulotu was Scotland-qualified and a “really physical and powerful ball carrier who can play both centre and wing”. And, apart from that last part, they have been absolutely spot on.

Less than three years later and Tuipulotu has grown to become a hugely influential figure for both club and adopted country thanks to a granny from Greenock.

Having already amassed 25 caps and crowned earlier this week as the Performance Men’s Player of the Year, he has undoubtedly been a welcome addition to the Scottish rugby landscape.

The midfielder has been a breath of

Will the little brother have anywhere near the same effect?

fresh air off the field, too, a charming, funny and thoughtful interview subject who wears his heart on his sleeve, especially when it comes to Scotland. It quickly became clear that this was no rugby tourist passing through under a badge of convenience.

All eyes will soon turn to his little brother to see if he can have anywhere near the same effect.

At 23, Mosese is roughly the same age Sione was when he first arrived on these shores, and there is no denying they are brothers given the physical similarities. Both are centres, too.

The main difference Mosese will face, however, when he pitches up over the summer to play for Edinburgh, is a massive pressure to perform that wasn’t there when Sione signed for Warriors.

That might seem unfair but, to be brutally honest, if it weren’t for Sione it is hard to imagine Scottish Rugby would have made such a big play for someone who has made just two substitute appearances this season and who turned down a move to Scotland a year ago. There is nothing remarkable so far on his sporting CV.

It has asked questions once more about the effectiveness of the pathway system when Murrayfield chiefs would rather lure an indifferent player from the other side of the world than give a chance to a local youngster already in their system.

That furore will only grow louder if Mosese doesn’t make a positive impact. But if he turns out to be even half the player his brother is, then it will be seen as a controversial risk that proved to be worth taking.