Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has confirmed a bid for NSW Waratahs prospect Mosese Tuipulotu, who he hopes will follow in the footsteps of his older brother Sione.
Tuipulotu, 22, made his Super Rugby Pacific debut in NSW’s 34-17 loss to the Hurricanes in Wellington on Friday night.
The promising midfielder - who injured his knee at Sky Stadium – is reportedly being offered $225,000 to join his brother in Scotland with both Melbourne-raised men qualified through their grandmother.
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Townsend told reporters that Glasgow Warriors were interested in Mosese.
“I was asked by Glasgow to have a chat with him,” Townsend said.
“I had a chat with him two years ago by mistake, because Sione had given his old mobile to him, and I phoned to chat to Sione and got him instead!
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“We were having a joke about that – ‘remember that chat two years ago.’ He’s a player who is interesting one of the pro teams, and us in Scotland.
“Sione’s had such a great impact at Glasgow and with Scottish rugby, it’s wise of Scottish Rugby to follow up on someone of real potential.
“He’s a young player who has come back from a long absence with a knee injury but he’s started the season really well.”
Meanwhile, Waratahs coach Darren Coleman told the Sydney Morning Herald that he wouldn’t go overboard in trying to talk Tuipulotu into staying put.
“I didn’t pitch to him, I asked him what he wanted to do with his footy,” Coleman said.
“If playing for Scotland and living in Edinburgh or Glasgow is what he wants to do, then he should go for it. I don’t begrudge anyone making decisions for themselves.
“If being a Wallaby and being in a top Super Rugby franchise and really cementing yourself in that is what you want to do, then stay with us.”
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