Wales tight-head prop Sisilia Tuipulotu made a powerful impact on her return to Tokyo, helping her side secure a 17-0 victory against Japan in the opening Test of the WXV Global Series.
Scrum Dominance in Tough Conditions
Tuipulotu starred at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, anchoring a Welsh set-piece that dominated scrums in challenging weather. The venue holds childhood memories for the prop, whose father, Tonga back Sione, played for Yokogawa Musashino Atlastars from 2006 to 2010. During that period, Tuipulotu attended the Little Angels international school in the Japanese capital.
Playing 78 minutes in the grueling encounter, Tuipulotu admitted that childhood recollections of Tokyo remain hazy. She credited rigorous pre-season conditioning for helping her endure the heavy workload, particularly during a scrum-heavy second half alongside hooker Kelsey Jones, as reported by BBC Sport.
As a contender for the upcoming British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand, the 23-year-old aims to maintain her form ahead of Saturday’s second meeting with Japan at the Kumagaya Rugby Stadium.
Welsh Pathway Delivers Fresh Talent
Earning her 39th cap in Tokyo, Tuipulotu was among the more experienced members of a youthful starting line-up. Head coach Sean Lynn has actively promoted promising athletes as part of preparations for the 2029 World Cup.
Last weekend’s fixture featured a second-row partnership of Jorja Aiono and Branwen Metcalfe, the latter of whom started an international alongside her sister Nel for the first time. Metcalfe praised the national pathway for producing players ready to compete at the highest level, noting the value of learning from experienced teammates such as Alex Callender, Kelsey Jones, and Georgia Evans.
Japan and Wales will play their second Test on Saturday, 31 October, at the Kumagaya Rugby Stadium in Saitama Prefecture.
