'Some say our academy isn't that good but it is and a lot of work goes into it'
Billy Vunipola is looking at the bigger picture when it comes to Saracens, rugby and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
With all rugby postponed until at least 20th April, as well as the cancellation of social gatherings and events, the club announced players, coaches and staff would take a salary reduction until revenue-generating activity can resume.
The players have been given programmes by the strength and conditioning staff to continue their strength work and maintain fitness at home whilst social distancing from their teammates and the general public as per government advice.
Vunipola has encouraged people to stay home like the squad and insists while it may seem like a small part to play, it will aid a quick return to normality for all.
“If it’s to help the club stay afloat and alive then that’s important. There are bigger and more important things in life than rugby,” he said on the reductions.
“If you take a quick glance around the world, we are not the only ones in this situation. It’s not unique, everyone is in the same position.
“At this time, it’s essential you look after people around you by doing the right thing and stay isolated. Not going out sun bathing when the weather is nice!
“We’ve got to sit tight and ride this out together by doing our bit for the club and society.”
Vunipola has a slightly different fitness regime to that of the wider group due to the arm he broke against Racing 92 in January and his ongoing rehabilitation.
The Sarries Number 8 remains in good spirits at home with his wife, Simmone, who is helping him with his nutrition.
“I’m trying to look after what I’m eating which helps with no restaurants or bars being open. That’s where you can lose track of what you’re doing and eating. It does help that my wife is a dietitian!
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“It’s awesome to be married. I’m very lucky and having my wife around helps a lot. She knows I like time by myself and she’s the same.”
His recent time in isolation has also allowed for reflection. The 27-year-old admits he may not have looked after himself as well as he could have in the past and is extremely appreciative of those around him.
There is a renewed focus too; an aim to get back to full health but taking his time to do so.
“My arm has been pretty sore for a while. I wasn’t looking after it very well and it was a period of time in my life where I was naïve in terms of recovery and taking care of myself.
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“We learn lessons by going through these times. I learned some valuable ones and hopefully I can take it into these next few weeks of isolation, look after myself and try to do as much as I can with rehab. My focus is on getting my body right and not rushing it.
“The club has always backed me when I’ve been injured and my family has always been there for me whether I’ve been a bit loose or doing things I’m not supposed to be. My family and my wife have been the bedrock every time I’ve been injured; my shoulder to cry on and lean on.”
It’s one of the reasons Vunipola has committed to staying at Saracens following the Men in Black’s relegation to the Championship.
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— chris jones (@chrisjonespress) March 25, 2020
The 2020/21 campaign will be the former Wasps man’s eighth season in north London and he says the Sarries environment is also a key factor.
“It was always an easy decision for me. The Sarries environment has helped me to flourish both on and off the pitch.
“When I signed I didn’t really want to to start off with but once I joined and got stuck into it I realised why the club was so special and a huge part of it is down to the environment.
“The coaches have helped me grow and it’s given me confidence I’ve never had. We’ve had some great coaches throughout my time here and you can see how influential the club has been for them.
“Big Faz (Andy Farrell) is with Ireland, Gussy (Paul Gustard) is at Harlequins and there are other people like Vassy (Ian Vass) and (Rory) Teague at Northampton and Gloucester respectively.
“We’ve got young coaches coming through now like James Tirrell who was with the (England) Under-20s and we’re lucky to have Powelly (Adam Powell) and Kelly (Brown) too.
“Some say our Academy isn’t that good but it is and a lot of work goes into it. It’s one of the many things that makes this club great.”
Vunipola continued: “The club is quite big in terms of trophies but when we play at Allianz Park it still has the feeling of playing at a local club with your mates and that starts from the top. Nigel Wray is very accessible to everyone and doesn’t pretend to be bigger than anyone else.
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“My family love it here and they feel part of the club as much as I do. When things do go wrong they feel it too.
“Recently we met up as a group and we reminisced about times we have spent together off the pitch and that’s testament to the environment we’re in. The trips away and times outside of rugby are always topics of conversation. When it comes to trophies and everything else, it isn’t always about winning; we enjoy each other’s company and we see that come out on the pitch.”
Saracens will ply their trade in the second tier next season which grants an opportunity for several of the club’s young prospects to develop their game with regular match practice.
For Vunipola, the lighter fixture schedule will allow for rest and a chance for his body to ‘recharge’.
“Without even thinking about international rugby, for me personally it’s an opportunity to again look after myself and my body but also help the team with performances.
“There’s not as many fixtures or big games and people will understand when I say that as currently you can go from Clermont one week to an Exeter the next which is extremely tough and everyone carries niggles.
“It’s tough going but next year is a chance to recharge and get the body to feel better.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Why cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to comments