Lions star born in Australia but snubbed by Wallabies reveals if he's 'bitter' about it

Sione Tuipulotu has no axe to grind over his Wallabies snub but is aiming to show them what they are missing again this weekend. The Scotland centre, a try-scorer in the Lions 27-19 win over the Wallabies in Brisbane on Saturday, was raised in Melbourne and played at the Rebels before moving north four years ago.

Tuipulotu, eligible for Scotland because of his grandmother Jacqueline, never cracked it down under but has been a roaring success in Britain and is aiming to nail a series victory in his hometown. The 28-year-old was disillusioned with not getting a chance with Australia but has buried that now - claiming Scotland have turned him into the player he is.

Tuipulotu said: "It's kind of crazy that we can close out the series in my hometown where I grew up, the stars have aligned for me. If you'd ask me when I first moved from Melbourne I would say, yeah it is personal.

"There is still a chip on my shoulder, what has got me to this point is having that chip on my shoulder. But in terms of me being bitter about Australian rugby, not at all, mate. I wasn't good enough to play for the Wallabies when I was in Melbourne.

"It wasn't a selector problem, I wasn't good enough, that's plain and simple. I owe everything to Scottish rugby because they've made me the player that I am today and now I get the chance to go back to Melbourne and play in my home city and hopefully close out a Test series."

Glasgow's Tuipulotu was in the crowd 12 years ago when the Wallabies beat the Lions 16-15 in the second Test to level the series. His brother Mosese, who now plays at Edinburgh was one of the flag bearers at the match.

In Brisbane, the Scotland Finn Russell was the standard bearer and with national team mates and centres Huw Jones and Tuipulotu cut the Australians apart on the back of the Lions forward dominance.

Fly-half Russell, in his first Lions Test start, threw a miracle ball for Tuipulotu's score and Jones had a deserved try chalked off and his calmness rubbed off on his team-mate.

Tuipulotu added: "I can't take any credit for it. I didn't have to do much, just had to accelerate and catch the ball. That's why playing with special players is pretty cool.

"Being around him made me not overreact to the occasion. It felt like we were playing a Scotland game together. His nature helps everyone and calms everyone. Then you add to that that he's got one of the best skillsets of any 10 in the world, it's a joy.

"Everyone knows what I think about Huw Jones. It just feels like he's bigger and faster than everyone and he was bigger and faster than everyone here as well."

The Australians are expecting to have powerful forwards Rob Valetini, a Melbourne mate of Tuipulotu's, and Will Skelton back from injury this weekend.

"I am sure it will give them a lot of belief," said Tuipulotu. "I grew up with Rob and I know what he brings to the team. Guys like Will Skelton and if they come off the injury list they'll definitely add. We expect them to be desperate but not more desperate than us because we're trying to close out a series next Saturday."