1
What Mako Vunipola thinks of potentially facing teammate he is 'so close' to at Saracens
Mako Vunipola is hoping to face Saracens teammate Vincent Koch in the British and Irish Lions test series with South Africa this summer, but first the two world-class props have to join forces to ensure the club’s promotion back to the Gallagher Premiership.
ADVERTISEMENT
Vunipola has seen Koch learn to deal with different problems posed by Championship front rows and the World Cup winning prop was forced to restore his reputation after a mauling up front by Cornish Pirates as the former European champions lost their opening fixture. Vunipola said: “To play against Vinny in a Lions test series would be very special because we are so close. Hopefully we will get that opportunity and Vinny for us has got better every game and I cannot see why he wouldn’t be involved with the Springboks. When he is playing his best rugby, scrummaging as well as he can, for me he is up there as one of the best tightheads in the world.
“This Lions tour will be different from four years ago because I now have kids. While finishing the season strongly with Saracens is the priority I do think about the Lions tour and I am really excited to crack on and enjoy the experience. “
Saracens must rely on the Championship match panel to decide if they are awarded a bonus-point win that also gives them the 12 points needed to finish above Ealing Trailfinders after their final league game was postponed due to Hartpury being affected by positive covid tests. Saracens and Ealing will meet in a two-leg play-off to decide who moves up to the Premiership next season.
Vunipola said: “Our goal is to finish top of the Championship and as competitors, you want to be top of the log. The play-offs are against Ealing Trailfinders who beat us twice in pre-season matches and although we beat them in the league the score flattered us. “
Vunipola has been praised by All Black Jerome Kaino as his toughest opponent in test rugby describing the loose prop as like a “brick”. Vunipola said: “When you get the respect of your peers it is very flattering. There have been many tough players I have faced but Jerome would be right up there and you respect the ones who just keep coming not matter how hard you hit them.
“As a player, I have a lot of belief in myself and there have been ups and downs but I have every confidence in my ability and even though we are not in the Premiership we are playing against big boys up front in the Championship. That is why when it comes to the summer I will be able to help the boys. I have spoken to Robin McBryde ( Lions forward coach) and previously I had met him socially when we were living in Wales and he was playing with one of my uncles Salesi Finau at Llanelli.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Comments on RugbyPass
Good decision, very good player but not international quality. But so was Jamison Gibson Park …..
3 Go to commentsLoose forwards always look good going forward and winning. It’s the same loose forwards for the Crusaders and the Canes this year as last year. Too much of the shiny new things getting noticed here while older consistent ones getting bagged. It’s early days. Calm the farm.
5 Go to commentsThanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
29 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
5 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
5 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
3 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
3 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
9 Go to comments1.Watch Wallace Sititi be the wild card AB. A genuine full time no 8 2. Luke J like Sotutu has not delivered. 3. Chiefs have all the right cattle but badly miss the leadership of Webber. LJ is about as unconvincing as Sam Cane when under the pump. They had the winning of that game in the second half then fell apart.
5 Go to commentsYes the Rebels are showing signs of life because they are literally playing for their live -lihoods and thanks to their Australian attack coach. However they are still playing an essentially dull boring south african style for the rest of the time. And Geoff Parling must be the most useless lineout coach ever. Worse than Steve Hansen even. Interestingly we are starting to see more cheap shots and attempts to get away with cheating by Australian players, now they are being influenced by Joe Schmidt. It was exactly the same when Rennie started out as Wallaby coach and thru his tenure. Trying to teach Australians to play like kiwis doesn’t work, as the last 20 years has conclusively demonstrated. Especially when we are not as good at it as kiwis. Which of course is the whole idea …..
29 Go to commentsGreat signing, not sure where he’ll fit in though. As for him ‘playing alongside RG Snyman, that’s highly debatable given the likelyhood that the latter will spend most of the season on sick leave.
9 Go to commentsWowee!
9 Go to commentsEvery team that has played a game in Africa this Champions Cup season is already out of the competition - including the SA teams. Could be a concidence.
30 Go to commentsthat should offer some experiences for Jordie.
9 Go to commentsJust remember: He is not a winger. Took Ian Foster 2 years to figure that out.
9 Go to commentsExcellent article, Nick. We (your RP colleague Brett McKay and my 8/9 Combo cohost), are going to have LSL on our podcast later this month. He has shown consistent excellence as a leader and lock. I’ll chat with you offline about a line of questioning if you have time. H
29 Go to commentsSo no Irish fan or journalist suggested JGP was as good as DuPont. Then even the guy who supposedly did is from Wales and said JGP would be the best around if it was t for DuPont. Right, so what is this story about again
19 Go to commentsGreat news for the URC. Leinster will always attract top talent. Another huge name added to their stable
9 Go to comments