England Rugby Podcast: Mako on Billy, playing chess and Tonga
With rugby’s showpiece final this week, England Rugby Podcast: O2 Inside Line catches up with Mako Vunipola.
The prop opens up about taking his first steps playing rugby in Tonga with plastic bottles, his move to Wales to follow his father’s rugby career and what is was like to make his debut for England.
Vunipola also revealed that the difference he feels when brother and No 8 Billy is not in the team alongside him when playing for Saracens or the national team.
“I’ve never really said it but it doesn’t feel the same if he’s not playing or I’m out there on my own,” said 28-year-old Vunipola.
“If he is playing I know what he can add to our team but also it’s what we’ve grown up knowing so we can kind of push each other and if he needs help at least I’m there alongside him and not sat in the stands watching him.
“I kind of take it for granted as well, not just playing for England but also for Sarries as we’ve been doing it quite a while now.
“Even though my face doesn’t show it I do enjoy it – if he’s not playing it doesn’t hamper me but I do think about it.”
Vunipola also speaks about how he likes to relax during his downtime with family, growing up with Wales international Taulupe Faletau and his favourite tour so far.
The loosehead prop also reveals how some of the England squad have bonded over a strategy board game.
“I’m a sore loser but a sore winner as well – George Kruis will probably testify to this,” added Vunipola. “We’ve been playing a lot of chess together and every time I lose it’s not great, and every time I win he doesn’t hear the end of it.
“There are quite a few of us now. Manu [Tuilagi] was actually the first person playing it, he plays Jonny May who’s very good, like Grand Master compared to the rest of us.
“Jack Nowell, JJ [Jonathan Joseph] and Kruis like I said. It was something just to pass the time for going on bus journeys and in the hotels.”
The podcast is an addition to the popular O2 Inside Line video and live series that takes you into the England camp, providing insights into how the squad are preparing and getting fans closer to the team.
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