Billy Vunipola booed and PA system plays 'It's Raining Men' following Saracens' loss to Bristol Bears
Billy Vunipola was booed today on his first on-field appearance since defending controversial Wallaby Israel Folau on Instagram.
The big number 8 was given the bird every time he touched the ball as Saracens suffered a shock defeat to the struggling Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate.
The 15,000 strong crowd were clearly aware of the unfolding controversy and used it to mercilessly rib Vunipola. The PA also appeared to join in, blasting ‘It’s Raining Men’ over the loudspeakers at full time.
@BristolBears and @Saracens match ended with PA system playing "Its Raining Men" . Big message that #Rugby is an inclusive game. Well played Bristol, well played.
— Defender (@Halo_Lawyer) April 13, 2019
The controversy over Vunipola failed to detract from a remarkable win for the Bears, who secured a win with a 81st minute Ian Madigan kick, which sent the stadium into hysterics at the final whistle.
?| When @Ian_madigan sinks the @premrugby champions…
SCENES! ? pic.twitter.com/L38MluTIQX
— Bristol Bears ? (@BristolBears) April 13, 2019
The win lifts the Bears 11 points clear of the bottom-placed Newcastle Falcons, who themselves suffered a loss to fellow bottom dwellers Leicester Tigers.
The booing of the heretofore popular England star is the latest development in the unfolding controversy surrounding Folau and players like Vunipola who appear to support him.
On Friday Harlequins prop Joe Marler’s took to goading Vunipola on Twitter over his support of Folau.
The former England prop had first taken aim directly at Folau after the controversy broke over the Wallaby’s star most recent homophobic outbursts on social media – sending the fullback a picture of two men kissing.
Yesterday he turned his addition to Vunipola, who has been pilloried for his support of Folau’s anti-gay Instagram message. In an apparent defence of his fellow Christian’s view, Vunipola has liked Folau’s post and states on his own account that “Man was made for woman to procreate that was the goal no?”
“I’m not perfect I’m at least everything on that list at least at one point in my life. It hurts to know that. But that’s why I believe there’s a God.”
In reference to one of the ‘sins’ on the list, Marler tweeted a picture of Vunipola stumbling drunk out of a nightclub in Dublin.
? @bvunipola pic.twitter.com/inc1rXqCVx
— Joe Marler (@JoeMarler) April 12, 2019
Vunipola could face disciplinary action in response to the anti-gay position outlined in his post, although initially his England bosses are seeking talks.
“Rugby is an inclusive sport and we do not support these views. We will be meeting with Billy to discuss his social media posts,” an RFU spokeswoman said.
Saracens have subsequently issued a statement saying that Vunipola’s comments are “inconsistent” with the club’s beliefs and that internal discipline procedures will follow, however it appears that Vunipola’s activity have already had repercussions, with Channel 4 dropping Vunipola as the face of their European rugby coverage.
A spokesperson for Channel 4 has said that “(Billy Vunipola)’s views are incompatible with our values as an inclusive broadcaster and in light of this Billy Vunipola won’t be used as a contributor in Channel 4’s rugby coverage.”
The drama has also been the subject of humourous mischief makers on Twitter, not least this effort from comedian Simon O’Keefe.
In response to Billy Vunipola's homophobic statements @Saracens have announced their fining him 2 weeks worth of offshore payments
— Simon O'Keeffe (@thesimonokeeffe) April 12, 2019
Comments on RugbyPass
Excellent analysis Nick as we have come to expect. I was not really aware that NFL strategies have been adopted by rugby teams, especially in defence. One point I would make is that the Northhampton attacking player on the end of the chain in the video examples has not maintained the correct depth to be effective. In the footage shown the outside player is too flat to make the best of the opportunity his inside players have provided. In each case they have to reduce speed and turn their body backwards to secure the ball, losing all momentum and giving the impressive scrambling defence the chance to shut down the threat.
1 Go to commentsMorning, John. Do you think that it may be a good idea to rest both teams from the Madrid comp leading in to the Olympics
2 Go to comments« I am preparing myself for much more, something much bigger. I’m focussing on the next cycle, » You don’t say…
1 Go to commentsGeez plenty of time to come right before test season starts. Dont panic mr Mannering!!!!!
1 Go to commentsGreat read Nick. The Reds really have been great to watch this year, and the improvement of not only the players you mention, but the squad in general has been obvious. The Reds 10/12 play making axis is a nice counterpoint to the 10/15 partnership at the Brumbies and Rebels. If Schmidt was to pick say, Lolesio, Paisami and Wright / Kellaway, would this be too many play makers? I notice in a lot of those clips Tim Ryan playing across the field in support of Vunivalu. Is this a feature of Kiss’s structure?
3 Go to commentsSo sad, god rest him. Too young to be gone. RIP
2 Go to commentsRIP big man 🙏
2 Go to commentsThe GB coach. “Just because we don’t get together as much as other teams we don’t use that as an excuse for performances when we don’t hit the mark”. Why mention it at all then?
1 Go to commentsNo mention of the yellow card for Harlequins which really cost them.
3 Go to commentsThought you’d left us Nick. Good to have you back writing for us. So hunter ikitau works? I reckon wright kellaway as two of the back 3. Tim Ryan and Toole looking good for strike winger but I still want the power of korobeiti and figure our forwards still need him to help them out. Million dollar question is who plays 10? I’m thinking Noah for his kicking and combo with wright. Reckon the pair adds up to an attack and kellaway will help. Can you comment on Zac Lucas in Japan? How is he going?
3 Go to commentsMack Hansen, Ethan Roots, Taine Plumbtree, Louis Lynagh, Emmanuel Meafou? Which country do you want to pick your Barbarians from?
3 Go to commentsInstead of apologising, try to act like an adult, fcknut.
3 Go to commentsLooks like the Force twisted his leg…ahem arm
7 Go to commentsScotland should change their name to the Barbarians
3 Go to commentsThe game was already over leave the bloke alone ….from a Welsh fan 😀👍
3 Go to commentsShamefully the Toulouse players acted like footballers, falling down feigning injury at the slightest knock. About time refs penalised this play acting.
8 Go to commentsAnother non Scot for the anti Scot Townsend. Soon there will be no Scottish born and bred players in the National team.
3 Go to commentsGreat comeback to the playing field by Richie Mo’unga after the loss of his father. A great performance by Richie . I know him well and he is a great guy. On and off the field one of the greatest for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson would have loved him in his All Black’s side. A very missed player and person.
3 Go to commentsYeah nah he comes across as a funny bloke, but that stopped abruptly after the Nutcracker Prince debacle✋
3 Go to commentsAt this point I can’t watch him without thinking he’s a dirty slimebag. He should have been banned for the same amount of time that Quinn was out. It took Tupaea near on a fricking year to get fit enough to play again and his leg will never be the same. The other crap thing is that he was at ABs level and now he has to claw his way back there when he could have had several games under his belt.
7 Go to comments