Tuipulotu and Hansen joined a small group of Australian-raised players to have been selected for the Lions since 1888: Alec Timms (1889), Tom Richards (1910), Ian Smith (1924), Brent Cockbain (2005), Nathan Hines (2009) and Tom Court (2013).
Jack Dempsey and Finlay Bealham both missed out.
Mack Hansen of Ireland is put under pressure by Leicester Fainga’anuku of New Zealand.Credit: Getty
While Tuipulotu was considered a certain pick, Hansen’s selection was up in the air after a year disrupted by injury and suspension. The Canberra-raised wing, who played four seasons with the Brumbies, moved to Ireland in 2021 and swiftly became a star on the wing for a dominant Ireland team.
Hansen was interviewed during the event and the outspoken Aussie said he was uncharacteristically unable to find any words in response.
“I was just heading for swim,” Hansen said.
“I am lost for words for the first time in my life, which is good for ‘Faz’ (Farrell) to hear. Bundee [Aki] was supposed to do it, but he’s minding the kids.”
Tuipulotu grew up in Frankston in Melbourne and played for the Junior Wallabies (under 20s), and in 2016 also became the first Melbourne player to play for the Rebels in Super Rugby. But he moved to Scotland to play for Glasgow in 2021 via the heritage of his grandmother, and he was later selected to play for the Scotland national side.
He became captain last year and led the Scots to victory over the Wallabies in November.
The match saw a memorable skirmish between Tuipulotu and Suaalii, that sparked a rivalry between the pair that is still smouldering.
Simmering Suaalii feud
It began with Suaalii thumping Tuipulotu in a massive tackle in the first half at Murrayfield, and the Wallabies centre stayed down with an injured right arm. Not realising he was seriously injured and would need to go off, Tuipulotu then sledged Suaalii and the Australian code-hopper got back to his feet and fired back at the Scot.
The pair had to be separated before Suaalii left the field with a suspected broken wrist, that was later determined to be a bad stinger.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Sione Tuipulotu trade words at Murrayfield.Credit: Getty Images
“I didn’t really know it was him that hit me. I don’t know how it looks on camera, but it felt humongous,” Tuipulotu said after the game. “And when I popped up, I was just kind of looking around at who it was and then I saw that he was on the ground, so I said something to him. And then he went off the pitch. That’s all I can really say about it.”
Neither player has revealed what was exchanged between them. Before he left the field, via the ref mic, Suaalii was heard to say: “I will see you next time.
Tuipulotu has since been asked about the moment on a few podcasts, but when asked about it again on the Kick Ons and Kick Offs podcast this week, he indicated Suaalii has been paying close attention and taking notes, and is itching for round two.
“I don’t want to put any targets on my back,” Tuipulotu said on the podcast.
“I know Eoin Toolan, who is the analyst at the Wallabies, and he used to be our analyst at Melbourne. He’s told me to stop talking on these podcasts about Joey, ’cos he says he’s raring to go. I don’t want to put any targets on my back from big Joey.
“He’s done so well since he joined union. And my brother (Ottavio) is also at the Tahs with him and he says he’s a good bloke off the field. I am looking forward to going up against him again, hopefully.”
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