There were emotional scenes at Scottish Gas Murrayfield as captain Sione Tuipulotu’s ‘Greenock granny’ surprised him and brother Mosese in the home dressing room.
Scotland Captain Tuipulotu believed his grandmother would never be able to see him play rugby at Scottish Gas Murrayfield due to her age and health, however, with Skyscanner and Scottish Rugby’s help Jaqueline Thomson was able to fly ‘home’ for the first time in 12 years and surprise her grandsons on the eve of this weekend’s games against Chile and Australia.
Thomson (77) now lives in Australia but is originally from Greenock on Scotland’s west coast. She has been delighting fans online, replying to messages and revealing in her grandson’s captaincy. Those fans may now be able to spot Jaqueline cheering in the crowd at the weekend’s Scotland A match against Chile on Saturday before Scotland take on Australia on Sunday.
Travel comparison app Skyscanner secretly planned the reunion, securing Jaqueline’s flights and accommodation so she was able to make the journey over to see her grandsons in action at this weekend’s games, alongside Sione and Mosese’s Mum.
Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu said: “I came into Murrayfield thinking I was doing a promo for Skyscanner and then my Gran is sitting there! It caught me off guard. It’s not something I thought would be possible.
“I’m over the moon and feeling so happy about everything. Mosese has always been my gran’s favourite, and it’s so cool she will get to see the two of us play this week.
“I’m really looking forward to running out in front of a packed-out stadium and then looking up into the stands during the anthems to see my Mum and Gran. It’ll be so special.
“My Gran is such a character and is probably where we get most of our personality from. I’m so happy that everyone will get to meet her and put a face to everything. I’m so grateful to Skyscanner for organising everything. I’d given up hope of my Gran coming to see my play in Scotland so for it now to be a reality is just unbelievable.”
Sione’s Granny, Jaqueline Thomson, said: “I’ve had such an amazing week. It’s been incredible to have Skyscanner fly me back home and surprise the boys. They were both so stunned.
“I’m excited for this weekend – getting to watch my grandsons play for Scotland and sing Flower of Scotland with them will be so special.”
Andre Le Masurier, Global Head of Brand & Creative, Skyscanner spoke about the reunion:
“We know rugby fans love to travel to support their team and experience the game firsthand, so we’re thrilled to be able to use our app and arrange Sione’s gran’s flights and accommodation. You’ll be hard pushed on Sunday to find anyone who’s travelled further to see the Scotland team play. We’re huge fans of Sione and his brother Mosese and it has been our immense privilege to reunite them with their gran for the Autumn Nations.”
