Rising Waratahs star Mosese Tuipulotu is eager to fight for a gold jersey as he commits his future to the Waratahs.
The 22-year-old has emerged on Scotland's radar, eligible through his grandparents, along with Tonga via his dad.
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Brother Sione made his debut for the Scottish in 2021 and whilst coach Gregor Townsend confirmed they had reached out to the Melbourne-born centre, Tuipulotu remains loyal to the Waratahs and Australian Rugby for the time being.
“I’ve made a decision, I’m going to stay here,” he told reporters on Thursday.
“I love this club and they’ve done a lot for me, so I’m happy to stay and obviously pursue that (Wallabies) dream.
“I think just in the point of my career at the moment, I’m just not really sold on going yet.
“Whether that happens in the future, I don’t know but I’m really happy at this club and I love playing footy.
“I grew up watching the Wallabies, so I’d love to wear the gold jersey. Obviously, I’ve got Scottish heritage as well, so if I wear that jersey in the future, then I’d be happy to represent my culture.”
Tuipulotu has been one of the main benefactors from injuries to centres Izaia Perese and Lalakai Foketi.
He has been largely used off the bench but started in his first game alongside Joey Walton last week against the Crusaders in Christchurch.
With Perese back from a back complaint, he retains his spot at inside centre with Walton, with the Wallaby shifting to the wing.
This allows Mark Nawaqanitawase to fill in at fullback after Max Jorgensen's long term injury.
“I think I’ve been really lucky with how game shave panned in terms of injuries so I’ve got some good minutes off the bench and then getting my starting debut against Crusaders,” Tuipulotu added.
“I got some experience (in Christchurch) and I’m ready to go again this week…I think in the first 10-15 mins we were right in the battle, we were playing some good footy and there were parts of the game where we just switched off defensively and made some poor decisions.”
Michael Hooper will lead the side in his final home game for the Waratahs, with Jake Gordon starting off the bench.
Coach Darren Coleman has opted to freshen up several senior players, with Gordon joined on the bench by Langi Gleeson whilst Dave Porecki, Jed Holloway and Te Tera Faulkner given the week off.
WARATAHS (1-15): Nephi Leatigaga, Mahe Vailanu, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Ned Hanigan, Hugh Sinclair, Lachlan Swinton, Michael Hooper (c), Taleni Seu, Harrison Goddard, Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch, Mosese Tuipulotu, Joey Walton, Izaia Perese, Mark Nawaqanitawase
RESERVES: Tolu Latu, Tom Lambert, Archer Holtz, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon, Tane Edmed, Harry Wilson
