Mako Vunipola was given brutally honest reality check in harsh Lions tour moment
The Saracens icon, who currently plays for French club Vannes, had an impressive international career, although 2021 was challenging for various reasons. The Sarries' relegation to the second tier of English rugby and an achilles injury that kept him out of the opening weekend of the 2021 Six Nations proved to be hugely challenging for the prop.
Consequently, he reported for the Lions' tour of South Africa out of shape. Gatland was unimpressed with Vunipola's fitness upon joining the squad.
It wasn't long before the former Wales head coach delivered a stark message any elite athlete would respond to. Having played a key part in the Lions clinching a 22-17 win over South Africa in the first test with his impactful scrummaging off the bench, Vunipola's performance proved instrumental for the tour.
Gatland went on to open up about the frank exchange he had with Vunipola before the first test. He said: "We have been really pleased with Mako.
"And I was really honest with him and just said, 'Mate, I didn't feel when you came into the squad that your fitness levels are as good as they should be for international rugby.'
"He agreed with me and we have changed a bit of his scrummaging technique and him coming off the bench at the moment - he has made a huge impact. He has scrummaged exceptionally well, carries great, is a great defender and we will see what happens over the next few days." Vunipola retired from international rugby in January 2024 (Image: 2021 MB Media)
Vunipola wasn't present at the Lions' Jersey training camp during its initial phase, but he still pursued his own conditioning drills in private. Following Gatland's frank remarks, Vunipola disclosed his efforts to enhance his physical readiness.
He said: "Fitness is something I've always had to try and keep on top of since I started, really. It was obviously a step up, coming into the Lions camp having not been in for the first week of Jersey.
"I knew that condition-wise I was in good hands with the strength and conditioning staff and the medical staff to get me to a place where I'm able to help the team. It's one of those things where there are no shortcuts, it's just hard work, extras off the field with the team around me." Vunipola had a huge effect from the bench in the first test in 2021 (Image: 2021 Getty Images)
His stellar performance in the first test earned him a spot in the starting line-up for the second, which saw South Africa triumph with a decisive 27-9 scoreline. Vunipola was left out of the XV for the third test, but, mirroring the first match, he came on as a substitute and aided the Lions in clinching a 19-16 win.
He concluded the tour with nine successive test match appearances, marking his final stint with the Lions. Vunipola bid farewell to international test rugby in January 2024, retiring with 79 caps for England under his belt.
Throughout his career, the Kiwi-born star clinched the 2016 Six Nations Grand Slam and was part of the team that made it to the 2019 Rugby World Cup final.
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The 42
43 minutes ago
- The 42
Farrell's Lions look to clinch the series against wounded Wallabies
THIS IS A battle between two sides who believe they're going to be better second time around. The series is on the line for the Lions as they face the Wallabies at the MCG today in Melbourne [KO 11am Irish time, Sky Sports]. If Andy Farrell's men win this second Test, the series is theirs. So Joe Schmidt's Wallabies are fighting for their lives with this chance to take it to a series decider in Sydney next weekend. You suspect that even some of the most hardcore Lions fans would be in favour of that happening. Not that they wouldn't enjoy watching their team finishing the job here and now. Farrell's men have had a determined air about them this week. The hosts, meanwhile, have more of a swagger, having welcomed back big hitters Will Skelton and Rob Valetini, as well as Langi Gleeson on the bench. With the solid Dave Porecki coming in at hooker, it looks like a much better Wallabies 23 than last weekend. They have stars like the formidable 20-year-old wing Max Jorgensen and the athletic 21-year-old centre Joseph Suaalii, who they will hope to see more from this time around. The Wallabies have Schmidt's clever coaching in their corner as well. So they have a sense that with their big men back, there's much better to come today. There has to be a big improvement from the Wallabies, who only got going when it was too late last weekend. You sense that they need to start with a big bang against the Lions this time around. Advertisement The Lions at the MCG yesterday. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo 'This game might be completely different, we might have a role reversal and we have to adapt and be honest with ourselves and stay on point if we are in front, if we are behind, things going your way, not going your way,' said Lions boss Andy Farrell. 'It is just staying honest as long as we possibly can.' Of course, Farrell would love another excellent start from his team. He'd love to be 19 points clear early in the second half again, especially given that he has beefed up his bench by naming Ellis Genge as the replacement loosehead and bringing in Owen Farrell, Jac Morgan, James Ryan, and Blair Kinghorn. But Farrell knows better than anyone that just when everyone expects one thing, a game can take its own course, especially when the opposition is a wounded beast. 'When you're in the opposite camp – and I've been in that type of situation many times, playing a three-game series – everyone thinks you've got everything to lose, but you get yourself to a stage where you've got nothing to lose, because everything has to be put out there,' said Farrell. 'And you ask more of yourself. Your all is given. And that's what these types of situations bring out in you. 'But from our point of view, we need to back what we believe is our potential within our side, and making sure that we're accurate with our game, and that's accuracy in all single areas, including physicality, etc. 'So we believe that we understand what type of team we're chasing, and we think if we're able to put that out on the field, that should be good enough to put us in with a good shout at winning the game.' Lions boss Andy Farrell. Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO While he points to the importance of rolling with the punches, Farrell also feels he knows what's coming from the Lions because he knows so many of these players well. As with last week, Irish players are at the core of the team. Nine Irish starters would have been 11 and maybe even 12 but for injuries for Garry Ringrose, Joe McCarthy, and Mack Hansen. Farrell is backing his Ireland players to deliver under the weight of expectation. If it goes badly for the Lions today, Farrell and his Ireland players will undoubtedly get it in the neck, but the opposite scenario would be a glorious one for Irish rugby. It is a rare thing to have such a green-tinged Lions team. Not that they're thinking in Ireland-focused ways right now. All they've been concentrating on are the little moments that decide Test matches. The scraps on the ground, the right support line, and the best kick chase. The Lions are favourites to get the job done at the massive MCG but they will have to put all those pieces together against a presumably rabid Wallabies side. AUSTRALIA: Tom Wright; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Harry Potter; Tom Lynagh, Jake Gordon; James Slipper, David Porecki, Allan Alaalatoa; Nick Frost, Will Skelton; Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson (captain). Replacements: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams, Langi Gleeson, Carlo Tizzano, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson. LIONS: Hugo Keenan; Tommy Freeman, Huw Jones, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Finn Russell, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Maro Itoje (captain), Ollie Chessum; Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry, Jack Conan. Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, James Ryan, Jac Morgan, Alex Mitchell, Owen Farrell, Blair Kinghorn. Referee: Andrea Piardi [Italy].
The Irish Sun
6 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Horse racing tips: ‘He will finish like a train' – Templegate's BIG 22-1 NAP and 1-2-3 King George prediction at Ascot
TEMPLEGATE tackles a monster Saturday of racing confident of bashing the bookies. The big race of the day is the King George from Ascot at 4.10pm - back a horse by clicking their odds below and check out this Advertisement SWORD (3.00 Ascot, nap) Looks sharp in the big £150,000 International Handicap. He struck at Leicester earlier this summer before going close in hot company at Haydock. David O'Meara's hope was unlucky at York last time and will be finishing strongly. The bottom weight was unlucky at York last time and looks ideal for this trip on quick ground. Needs a bit of luck coming late but has enough quality. CALANDAGAN (4.10 Ascot, nb) He has finally lost his nearly horse tag thanks to a blistering Group 1 win at St Cloud last time out. With that win under his belt he can turn the tables on Jan Brueghel who narrowly outmuscled him in the Coronation Cup at Epsom last time. That track clearly didn't suit the French raider who went down by just half a length in the end. He was a sparkling winner of the King Edward VII here last year so course and distance are ideal. Read on for my King George 1-2-3 prediction. Advertisement ALMAQAM (2.40 York, treble) He looks hard to beat after his impressive effort at Sandown last time out in May. He got the better of Ombudsman in the Brigadier Gerard and he went on to frank the form in style at Royal Ascot. This trip is ideal and some cut in the ground suits too. Templegate's TV verdicts ASCOT Advertisement Most read in Horse Racing 1.40 FITZELLA ran a cracker in the Albany here when she was much the best of the high-drawn horses and those up with the pace early. That was just her third run, and the daughter of Too Darn Hot already boasts a dominant Haydock maiden win, where she powered clear. The Dubawi filly is sister to Breeders' Cup hero Space Blues so is bred to be top class. She could improve significantly. Advertisement Bella Lyra also brings Listed form to the table, having gone down narrowly in a strong Newmarket contest. Her smooth Windsor win before that was eye-catching and Ryan Moore keeps the ride. Amberia and Argentine Tango are closely tied in with Bella Lyra and have place claims. 2.20 Advertisement JANCIS ran a stormer last time out in the Group 1 Pretty Polly at The Curragh, finishing fifth behind top-class Whirl and staying on nicely. She already has a Group 3 success on her CV from last season and dropping back to a mile holds no fears. Royal Dress is a big player after a dominant Listed win at Pontefract and she's shown her best over this distance. All ground suits and she won't be far away. Advertisement Chantilly Lace brings strong Royal Ascot form from the Coronation where she still looked green after just three runs. The fact she was in that race shows what Ralph Beckett thinks of her and this should be easier. Cajole was just a length away in a Sandown Listed race last time and likes quick ground. The booking of William Buick for the Gosdens takes the eye. Advertisement Lou Lou's Gift needed the run at Chelmsford after a year off and could nick a place. 3.00 SWORD looks sharp in the £150,000 International Handicap (3.00 Ascot). He struck at Leicester earlier this summer before going close in hot company at Haydock. Advertisement David O'Meara's hope was unlucky at York last time and will be finishing strongly. Akkadian Thunder, Aalto and Kodi Lion look the biggest dangers. Here's my big-race guide and rating out of five, with one the worst and five the best: ZOUM ZOUM 2 Advertisement ZOUM raider. Listed second earlier this season but faded in the Wokingham and stamina a worry over this trip in a strongly-run race. CITY HOUSE 1 SIN City. Tidy Bahrain record but poor UK form and needs cheekpieces to work wonders. ARRAY 3 Advertisement RAY of hope. Group 2 win last season on soft but form has dipped a little. Stays and may do better in hcap. NORTHERN EXPRESS 3 EXPRESS delivery. Won this last year and shaped well at Haydock last time. Solid chance from 2lb lower. GOLDEN MIND 2 Advertisement MIND games. Consistent in early season but poor in the Wokingham last time. Good claimer on but needs more. GALERON 3 ON the hunt. Well handicapped on past Group form and shaped better than result last time. Place say. AKKADIAN THUNDER 4 Advertisement THUNDER clap. Excellent second in the Buckingham Palace and no luck last time. Can produce another late surge and hit the frame. OLIVER SHOW 2 NO Show. Three AW wins last year and close second in the Lincoln before a poor run ehre latest. Needs best. YORKSHIRE 3 Advertisement YORK talk. Fair run in Buckingham Palace and 1lb lower now. Likes it quick and can't be ignored. FRESH 3 GET Fresh. Won this in 2022 off 3lb higher and fitter for his comeback at Newcastle. Veteran but in place hunt. CERULEAN BAY 2 Advertisement NAY Bay. In and out this year and below form in big handicaps. Needs more from this pretty lofty mark. NOBLE TRUTH 2 TRUTH or dare. Group winner in his prime but out of sorts this season and difficult to fancy despite falling handicap mark. BILLYJOH 3 Advertisement GO Joh. Running well in major handicaps and Bunbury Cup third reads well so place claims again if pace collapses. KODI LION 4 LION roars. Impressive in a big field at Haydock and has good C&D form. Had excuses last time and should go close. QAZAQ 3 Advertisement ZAQ attack. Cracking AW record and some promise over this trip at HQ last time. Can do better. AALTO 4 AALTO play for. Stormed home when second in Bunbury Cup and runs off same mark. Trip suits and William Buick takes over. LORD BERTIE 2 Advertisement LORD help him. Has run well here before but recent form is poor and this looks tough. TWO TRIBES 2 TWO much. Long losing run but promise over this trip at HQ latest. This is tougher. CLASSIC 3 Advertisement HAS Class. Ran well to land nice prize at Sandown last time over a mile. Drop in trip not ideal but a repeat could see him place. PALS BATTALION 1 NO Punter's Pal. Won on AW in spring but turf efforts have been poor this season. Hard to fancy. AL AMEEN 1 Advertisement AL pass. Useful AW form and best over this trip but has sights raised here. SWORD 5 MIGHTY Sword. Bottom weight was unlucky at York last time and looks ideal for this trip on quick ground. Needs a bit of luck coming late but has enough quality. 3.35 Advertisement BOPEDRO is a consistent performer at this level and he ran another massive race when less than a length away at York last time. His last Ascot run saw him go close in the Royal Hunt Cup so this straight mile is right up his street. He has plenty of weight but should be right there. Bullet Point sets the standard after his second in the Hunt Cup on top of three wins. Advertisement A 3lb rise is fair and he'll go close for William Haggas albeit at a fairly skinny price. Teroomm met with real traffic problems in the Buckingham Palace here last time but had been in fine form earlier and could easily bounce back. All-weather winner Cosi Bello went close on his turf debut at Chester and is another in the mix along with Supido who ran well in the Britannia. 4.10 Advertisement CALANDAGAN has finally lost his nearly horse tag thanks to a blistering Group 1 win at St Cloud last time out. With that win under his belt he can turn the tables on Jan Brueghel who narrowly outmuscled him in the Coronation Cup at Epsom last time. That track clearly didn't suit the French raider who went down by just half a length in the end. He was a sparkling winner of the King Edward VII here last year so course and distance are ideal. Advertisement Jan Breughel is the one to fear again given he comes here fresher having not run since Epsom. He is a strong stayer but it's interesting to see Aidan O'Brien put cheekpieces on him today which should sharpen him up. It should be another good battle between the pair. Rebel's Romance is proven at this level and will be no pushover, but may just the legs of his younger rivals. Advertisement Kalpana is a smashing filly. She's an Ascot Group 1 on her CV and gets weight, but she'll still need to find more to shine in this company. My 1-2-3 is: 1st Calandagan 2nd Jan Brueghel 3rd Rebel's Romance YORK Advertisement 2.00 ALZAHIR can keep his fantastic winning run going. He brought up the hat-trick well in a big field at Ascot last time and can cope with a 3lb rise in the weights. He will like this test and goes on any ground. There's every chance of the four-timer. Advertisement Plenty of others lurk with chances. Elmonjed went close at Windsor and is still on a fair mark, while Strike Red, often the bridesmaid, gets conditions to suit and is weighted to go close. Jubilee Walk ran a cracker behind Alzahir at Chester on return and should come on for that, especially with a more prominent ride. Brooklyn Nine Nine is progressive and stayed on strongly to win last time – he's unexposed at this level and won't mind the ground. Advertisement And don't give up on Korker, who returns to his favourite track. 2.40 ALMAQAM looks hard to beat after his impressive effort at Sandown last time out in May. He got the better of Ombudsman in the Brigadier Gerard and he went on to frank the form in style at Royal Ascot. Advertisement This trip is ideal and some cut in the ground suits too. Stanhope Gardens was a respectable fifth in the Derby when he didn't seem to stay 1m4f after travelling well. Dropping in trip looks a wise move and he's another who handles slowish ground. Green Impact was sixth in the Irish Derby latest after winning a Listed contest around this trip. Advertisement He has enough pace to be competitive for Jessica Harrington. Bay City Roller is proven in this grade and just about stayed this far in France last time so can't be ignored. 3.20 COPPER KNIGHT has a solid York record and the 11-year-old has looked up to the task this season in winning twice before going close here last time out. Advertisement He's scored off marks 20lb higher than this in his prime and has enough boot left to strike here for Tim Easterby. He goes on any ground and his middle draw gives him options. Bona Fortuna has been knocking on the door over this trip and is only 2lb higher than his last win. He doesn't mind a bit of juice underfoot. Advertisement 2022 winner Birkenhead went close at Ripon last time and is capable of holding on for a place if blasting off as usual with trainer Paul Midgley in decent nick. Fortunate Star is in flying form having won at Haydock before going close at Donny latest. He should still be ahead of the handicapper and likes this trip. Looking For Lynda is out of sorts but enjoys York and could hit the frame at tasty odds. Advertisement Templegate's tips FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Read more on the Irish Sun Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Irish Examiner
6 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Andy Farrell's second Test experience should serve Lions well against Australia side with 'nothing to lose'
There is not much in rugby that Andy Farrell has not seen before and he has been on both sides of the ledger at the midway point in a three-Test series. The British & Irish Lions take a 1-0 lead into Saturday's second Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. It is an iconic stadium which will be packed with an estimated 95,000 supporters, a huge number of whom will be hoping the side they have travelled to watch from the other end of the world can secure a first series victory in a dozen years without the need for a deciding leg. The home side's beleaguered supporters clearly have a different objective for their Wallabies and Farrell understands the situation they are in. It was as Ireland's defence coach here in Melbourne, not too far down the road from the MCG, that he and Joe Schmidt plotted a comeback from an 18-9 series-opening defeat to Australia up in Brisbane seven days earlier. Ireland won at the AAMI Stadium that night and went on to seal the series in Sydney a week later and it was four years later in New Zealand that Farrell the Ireland head coach summoned another reversal of fortune against the All Blacks having been beaten soundly at Eden Park in the first Test. His experience in those situations should serve the Lions well as they go up against an Australian team now coached by Schmidt and boosted by the return from injury of powerhouse forwards Will Skelton and Rob Valetini. Now Farrell is the one seeking to protect a 1-0 lead following last Saturday's 27-19 win at Suncorp Stadium and on Thursday, having named a side showing three changes from the Brisbane Test, he assessed the current balance of pressure in the series, between a team looking to get the job done and another fighting to stay alive. 'I suppose, when you're in the opposite camp - and I've been in that type of situation many times, playing a three-game series - everyone thinks you've got everything to lose,' the Lions head coach said, 'but you get yourself to a stage where you've got nothing to lose, because everything has to be put out there. Tommy Freeman, Head Coach Andy Farrell, Assistant Coach Simon Easterby, Jamie George, Huw Jones and Ben Earl. Pic: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan. 'You ask more of yourself. Your all is given. And that's what these type of situations bring out in you. 'But from our point of view, we need to back what we believe is our potential within our side, and making sure that we're accurate with our game, and that's accuracy in all single areas, including physicality, etc. 'So we believe that we understand what type of team we're chasing, and we think if we're able to put that out on the field, that should be good enough to put us in with a good shout at winning the game.' Wallabies hopes going into this pivotal game lie in their strong finish to the first Test, when a strong collective bench performance outgunned the Lions' replacements to rally from 24-5 down after 42 minutes to leave the tourists needing a late penalty from Marcus Smith to provide some insurance in an eight-point victory. With extra physicality from Valetini and Skelton, it points to a stronger Wallabies performance and the Lions have been aware of that since they came off the pitch in Brisbane a week ago. Farrell doubled down on that as he replaced Sione Tuipulotu with Bundee Aki at inside centre and swapped in last week's back-up loosehead Andrew Porter to start with possibly the stronger finishing Ellis Genge moving to the bench. With Ollie Chessum replacing an injured Joe McCarthy in the second row, the bench also sees a first Lions Test opportunity for lock James Ryan, while flanker Jac Morgan is named as back-row replacement at the expense of Ben Earl. The wise, older head of Owen Farrell has also been drafted onto the bench for Test action in his fourth Lions tour and will also be leaned on to see the Lions through any sticky patches. 'During victory you get an opportunity to be unbelievably honest and show each other just how much you can improve and there has been nothing but that this week as far as honesty is concerned, about where we can get to,' Farrell said. 'We certainly feel we left a few things out there, most aspects of our game will need to better but it is proving to ourselves it can be better as well.' Last week's second-half woes, when the Lions allowed the Wallabies back into the game after Dan Sheehan had finished an excellent attacking move on 42 minutes to give them a commanding 19-point lead, were attributed to a dip in focus, and a dropping off in intent. 'Not intensity, doing things properly,' Farrell clarified, 'that is what we have talked about all week, what it looks like for us and the expectation that has to happen the majority of the time. 'We are realists, we are all human and we realise it is not going to be perfect all of the time. It is not going to be a perfect 85-minute performance but staying on it as much as we can will give us a better chance of getting what we want. 'But this game might be completely different, we might have a role reversal and we have to adapt and be honest with ourselves and stay on point if we are in front, if we are behind, things going your way, not going your way. It is just staying honest as long as we possibly can.' This is a Lions team on a mission and first series win since 2013 beckons, sooner rather than later. AUSTRALIA: T Wright; M Jorgensen, J Suaalii, L Ikitau, H Potter; T Lynagh, J Gordon; J Slipper, D Porecki, A Alaalatoa; N Frost, W Skelton; R Valetini, F McReight, H Wilson – captain. Replacements: B Pollard, A Bell, T Robertson, J Williams, L Gleeson, C Tizzano, T McDermott, B Donaldson. BRITISH & IRISH LIONS: H Keenan (Ireland); T Freeman (England), H Jones (Scotland), B Aki (Ireland), J Lowe (Ireland); F Russell (Scotland), J Gibson-Park (Ireland); A Porter (Ireland), D Sheehan (Ireland), T Furlong (Ireland); M Itoje (England) – captain, O Chessum (England); T Beirne (Ireland), T Curry (England), J Conan (Ireland). Replacements: R Kelleher (Ireland), E Genge (England), W Stuart (England), J Ryan (Ireland), J Morgan (Wales), A Mitchell (England), O Farrell (England), B Kinghorn (Scotland). Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy).
