Wales tight-head prop Sisilia Tuipulotu delivered a standout performance on her return to Tokyo, helping her team secure a 17-0 victory against Japan in tough conditions during the first of two Tests in the WXV Global Series.
Scrum dominance in Tokyo
Tuipulotu starred at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, a city she lived in for three years as a child when her father, Tonga back Sione, played for Yokogawa Musashino Atlastars between 2006 and 2010. During that time, she attended the Little Angels international school. While her childhood memories of Tokyo are hazy, the scrums she anchored when the match hung in the balance left a lasting impression. Sean Lynn’s side established a strong platform up front to claim a scrappy win, with Tuipulotu playing 78 minutes.
Tuipulotu said that it was a long time to stay on the field, but her teammates kept her going with constant encouragement from the back-row during numerous scrums in the second half. She credited the strength and conditioning coaches, noting that a savage pre-pre-season helped make the team much fitter. Regarded as a contender for the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand next year, Tuipulotu is finding her best form ahead of Saturday’s second Test against Japan in Kumagaya. She mentioned that head coach Lynn simply tells her to be herself, adding that she plays her best rugby when she smiles and lets the game take care of itself.
Youth pathway success
At 23 years old, Tuipulotu was the fifth most experienced player in the starting line-up for her 39th cap. Lynn has actively promoted promising young talent as he looks to reshape Wales’ fortunes ahead of the 2029 World Cup. Last weekend, the team featured a second-row partnership of Jorja Aiono and Branwen Metcalfe, who held a combined total of just 15 caps. Metcalfe noted that the selection is a credit to the pathway system producing players ready for international competition, while the coaching staff effectively nurtures and develops them.
Balance remains essential, with younger forwards learning from experienced campaigners like Alex Callender, Kelsey Jones, and Georgia Evans, alongside backs Lisa Neumann and Keira Bevan. Metcalfe, a 20-year-old forward who has started seven consecutive matches this year, expressed that international rugby is a demanding environment where one rarely feels completely settled. She stated that she wants to keep pushing for the starting jersey and continue her rapid learning curve.
The second Test between Japan and Wales takes place on Saturday, 31 October, at the Kumagaya Rugby Stadium in Saitama Prefecture.
