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The Borthwick reaction to very public apology from Billy Vunipola
England boss Steve Borthwick has reacted to the public apology issued earlier this week to him in the media by Billy Vunipola. The pair had a historical falling-out in Italy during the lead-up to the 2019 Rugby World Cup when the Saracens back-rower made some out-of-line comments to the then-Test team assistant coach.
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Four years later, following a maiden Guinness Six Nations campaign with Borthwick at the helm as Eddie Jones’ successor, Vunipola, who was overlooked for selection, sought out the head coach to apologise for what had occurred in Treviso.
Five months later, Vunipola has now been named as the starting England No8 for this Saturday’s Summer Nations Series match versus Wales in London and at his team announcement media briefing on Thursday, Borthwick was asked for his thoughts on the player going public earlier this week with the apology he privately delivered in March.
“I think it shows the character that he has been so open and honest publicly,” reckoned Borthwick. “That shows the character of the man. I think as a situation by the fact that it has played out is bigger than what it actually is in reality, but I think he is an important figure in this squad. The players have incredible respect for him and they look up to him, so having him here in the squad is really important for us.”
Vunipola, in a Rugby World Cup squad announcement interview that was published on Tuesday by The Telegraph, had explained: “I was very, very ahead of myself back then because we had just won the double with Saracens, I had played really well in the semi-final and final and knew I was going to be in the (2019 RWC) England squad.
“I had a conversation with Steve about rugby after training when we were in Treviso. I said a few things that were out of line, basically. I said some things that never should have been said to Steve in that way, but also in front of other people.
“We had already had conversations about my rugby in January (this year) and it is important to say that I don’t believe it had anything to do with me not playing in the Six Nations.
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“But I felt it was important for myself to address the issue and actually apologise to Steve, having matured a little bit. I just wanted to let him know that I was sorry, because I am sorry, you know.
“He should never have been in that situation where I’ve made him feel like I was patronising towards him. Especially as an elder, not just the coach but someone who is older than me. It was very disrespectful what I did to Steve.”
With England having made 11 changes to their XV following last weekend’s 9-20 loss to Wales in Cardiff, Vunipola will take the field at Twickenham this Saturday in a back row with Courtney Lawes, who has only played a dozen Test minutes this season, while Ben Earl will make his first Test start after 15 appearances as a sub. Borthwick is looking forward to what the combination can potentially produce.
“There are a lot of combinations across the team to get excited about,” he said. “We talked about midfield; back row is another one of those. It’s brilliant to see Courtney in an England shirt; he played a very small part in the Six Nations, so it is terrific to have him back in the team. He is looking in great shape, looking really sharp.
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“Ben Earl, I’m delighted for him to have his first start in an England shirt. He brings enormous energy onto the pitch. We all know the speed he brings in that back row but what I particularly enjoy about his game is the way he links with the backs. There are not too many back row forwards around that I see link with the backs as well he does.
“And then Billy Vunipola is starting at eight. We talked quite a bit about him on Monday. He has worked exceptionally hard to be in the position that he is in and that is immense credit to him.”
Reflecting on what was said earlier this year when Vunipola was excluded from England’s plans for the Six Nations, the coach added: “There were several areas we wanted to discuss and improve in his game. Billy has spoken to you about that as well.
“As with every player I want them to develop and improve. That is what we want in this environment because if we keep searching for those improvement areas this team will take big strides in the direction we want to be in at the start of the tournament.”
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy 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!
5 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 …
33 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.
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