Scotland leader like a cousin to Australia prop who grew up playing with him in the backyard

Australia prop Isaac Kailea has fond memories of playing in his Melbourne back garden with the Tuipulotu brothers and is so close to the family he calls them his cousins.

Sione, Mosese and Tavi left their homeland to “chase the dream” in Scotland and Kailea watched approvingly from afar as Sione in particular has gone on to great things.

The oldest Tuipulotu brother has graduated from backyard rough and tumble to Scotland captain and friendships will be put to one side on Sunday when Kailea and Sione square up in the Nations Championship at Murrayfield.

Scotland's Sione Tuipulotu hugs Australia's Isaac Kailea after the match at Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium on November 24, 2024. | SNS Group / SRU

The loosehead isn’t surprised at his old pal’s progress. Sione was always the leader of the pack and, in the words of Kailea, “a bit lippy”.

“Oh, yeah, I know him quite well,” smiled Kailea. “I grew up with him and his younger brothers. We pretty much just call each other cousins. I call his dad my uncle. I think he's over here right now, actually.

Sione was always always the leader

“Our dads met in Melbourne. They're both of Tongan heritage and there are a couple other families there, all Tongan as well, that we all grew up with.

“So a lot of boys, a lot of pretty rough games in the backyard, but he was always always the leader, I think, amongst the kids. He was the oldest. I've got my older brother as well. Yeah, the younger kids sort of just followed his lead.

Isaac Kailea, back row with turquoise vest, pictured alongside Sione Tuipulotu, in a white t-shirt, and his brothers. | Australian Rugby

“And the leadership he showed is something I can see him doing now with Scotland. Even the way he talks, it's still the same. It's pretty cool to see. And if I get the chance to play against him again, which I did in ’24, I'd love to get a win over him.”

Sione Tuipulotu, a former Australia Under-20 international, left home to further his career, moving to Japan initially before joining Glasgow Warriors in 2021. The centre quickly established himself as one of the most exciting talents in Scotland and was capped by his adopted country, qualifying through his maternal grandmother from Greenock, Jaqueline Thomson.

Sione's probably one of the most competitive people I know

On Sunday, he will come up against the nation he left behind. In 2024, he rose to the occasion, scoring the opening try in Scotland’s 27-13 win over the Wallabies at Murrayfield.

“I think Sione's probably one of the most competitive people I know,” said Kailea. “So I think when he puts on that Scottish jersey, no matter who he's playing, he's going to give it 100 per cent. Whether he goes extra hard because we're Australia, I couldn't say. I just know he's always putting in that effort, especially now that he's one of their leaders, he's their captain.”

Isaac Kailea during a Australia Rugby training session at Peffermill Playing Fields, on November 11, 2026, in Edinburgh, Scotland. | SNS Group

Kailea has no plans to speak to Sione pre-match but is planning on meeting up with his brothers, Edinburgh centre Mosese and Glasgow Warriors hooker Tavi.

“I'll be catching up with his younger brothers tomorrow. But, yeah, I think maybe just a bit of distance [with Sione], catch up after the game, hopefully after a win.”

I wasn't too surprised when he went to Scotland

Tuipulotu’s switch to Scotland may have taken some by surprise but Kailea always knew it was an option.

“I've met his nan before. She's still got a pretty thick Scottish accent! So, yeah, I wasn't too surprised when I found out he was going to Scotland. I knew he always had that connection. So, yeah, I wouldn't say too surprised.”

Kailea said Sione was a trailblazer for the younger boys, playing for the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby and showing them that anything was possible with dedication and determination.

“Well, it sort of started in Melbourne, where he debuted for the Rebels first. All the younger boys, all my younger cousins and myself as well, just really wanted to follow in his footsteps.

“He was a really good role model for all of us. And obviously it was a bit tough for him in Australia. He went on his own little journey, went through Japan, and now he's ended up in Scotland.

“And now his brothers are over here as well, chasing the dream. So, yeah, it's pretty crazy, to be honest.”