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Jones reality check has Vunipola primed to batter Wallabies
Barnstorming England back rower Billy Vunipola predicts he’ll perform even better in the Test decider against the Wallabies, after revealing how a reality check from Eddie Jones and sessions with a psychologist helped him roar back on the international stage.
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The Sydney-born 130-kilo wrecking ball carrier had been a mainstay of coach Jones’s pack for several seasons, amassing over 60 caps before being dropped last year.
“We had a chat and he just said he wanted to me to find my best version of myself and at the time I disagreed with him,” Vunipola said of England’s Australian coach in the lead up to the SCG Test.
“But looking back now he was right.
“I went through a different range of emotions. Obviously gutted to start with. However, I did understand the decision.
“I probably wasn’t playing to the level I wanted to and I just needed to find that consistency.”
Improved form for his club Saracens and injuries to other backrowers contributed to the 29-year-old No.8 getting a recall for the three-Test series against the Wallabies.
He played his first Test in over a year in the series opener in Perth.
“I didn’t express myself as I wanted to and a lot of that was down to the fact I didn’t want to make a mistake and I definitely played within myself,” Vunipola said.
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“When I’m playing, I’m like a basketballer, I like to talk rubbish but back it up with my actions.
“I felt like I did that this (last) weekend – but I reckon I will be better this week.”
Vunipola’s more impactful performance in the second Test in Brisbane, where he scored England’s only try, came after he got a message from his father, former Tonga Test player Fe’ao, expressing disappointment in Billy’s performance in Perth.
“He was excited to see me play and how he just felt flat after the game because it wasn’t the person that he thought was going to turn up,” Vunipola said.
“So I wanted him to not send me another message like that. That was one of the small motivating factors but the biggest one was for myself – I wanted to go out there and put my best foot forward.”
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Vunipola said he had never believed in psychologists but had turned to one after being dropped by Jones, as he sought some honest feedback because he thought his club coaches probably wouldn’t be harsh enough.
“I felt like I needed something extra, someone to tell me the honest truth and I found someone who was class and we talked nearly every day for six or seven months,” Vunipola said.
Extra fitness sessions and more attention to his diet, sleep and recovery have helped, along with a different approach to games.
“Its more of a conscious thing to think about how I want to perform,” Vunipola said.
“What I want to do in a game, not just turning up and just hoping it happens, which I got away with for a lot of years, but this little snag (getting dropped) helped me to find a better version of myself.”
Comments on RugbyPass
You ask good questions, Nick. The group who have put together the proposal to play out of Tarneit and participate in the growing of the ground’s capacity are not a bunch of white knights who have been dragged in post-crisis; they were around whilst the Rebels accummulated $23m in debt. Why do we come up with ideas that might make the franchise affordable after it’s broke and not when it might have prevented the trainwreck this offseason was? As for Gordon/Kellaway v Lolesio/Wright, they are both good options. I think the former are better rugby players but the goal kicking of Noah may be decisive when Schmiddy makes his choices. I know Harry Jones has the hots for Edmed but I think it’s one of his few poor choices and he and Jorgensen aren’t close to the other pairs. By coincidence, the wife and I went into town over the weekend to watch Brian Cox and Patricia Clarkson in Long Day’s Journey into Night. Beautifully acted but it was 3.5 hours in the chair and very hard work. Like the Rebels, there were only small bursts of joy to go with a lot of bad news and a depressing story line. In the end, I was hoping it would end and I could give my sore butt a break. Again, familiar.
32 Go to commentsGood 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?
32 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 …..
32 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
32 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 comments