Worcester Warriors mark return to Premiership by signing
Sione Tu'ipulotu – Rugby news
Worcester Warriors mark their return to the Premiership today as they sign the Plymouth Albion’s utility back Sione Tu'ipulotu for next season. Tu'ipulotu will join his former Plymouth team-mate prop George Potter at the Warriors.
Worcester Warrior returned to the upcoming season of the Aviva Premiership after they defeated the Cornish Pirates 46 – 32 on aggregate to win the Rugby Football Union (RFU) championship Stage 2 at Sixways Stadium on Wednesday
May 18. After spending just a season away from the Aviva, Warriors return to premiership and will replace Leeds Carnegie. Interestingly, Leeds Carnegie defeated Warriors 12 – 10 in their last match of 2009/10 premiership season to deliver Warriors their first
relegation in 22 years.
Tongan born Tu'ipulotu is a utility player and has the skills and attributes to play at centre, scrum half and at fullback position.
Warriors head coach, Richard Hill, has termed the signing of the Tu'ipulotu as a very good addition to the team. While commenting on the selection, Hill mentioned that he is following Tu'ipulotu for past two seasons and is really impressed by his performance
at Plymouth.
Warriors head coach has praised Tu'ipulotu utility skills but planned him to play as centre. He said, “He's a very powerful centre and in the Premiership you need that type of player because defences are so well drilled and strong.”
Hill has attributed Tu'ipulotu skills with those of Aleki Lutui and Dale Rasmussen. He said, “He has good footwork while having the same kind of destructive power as the likes of Aleki Lutui and Dale Rasmussen.”
The 32-year-old made his professional rugby career while playing for Tongan Rugby Union Club Toloa OB. His exceptional skills and talent helped him to earn a call to the Tongan Rugby Union national team at the age of 19.
Tu'ipulotu made his debut against Wales in November 1997. He later represented the national team in the 1999 Rugby World Cup. He played his second World Cup in 2007 as his effective performance for Newport Gwent Dragons earned
him a call back to the national side.
Tu'ipulotu joined Dragons in 2004/05 season and made 64 appearances for them in Magners League and at European level. Later he moved to Japan as he played for the Yokogowa Rugby Club for couple of seasons. Tu'ipulotu joined
Plymouth Albion at the start of 2009/10 season and made his debut against Birmingham in November 2009.
This is the first major signing from the Warriors after confirmation of their return to the Aviva Premiership and Hill has not turned down the chances of further signings. Fans are waiting to see who else will be joining the
resurgent Warriors.
Tags: