It’s been a tough couple of years for the big number 8. Ever since the 2019 world cup, there have been some big question marks over Billy Vunipola’s form and commitment to the jersey.
Eddie Jones stuck by his reliable forward for many games after that, encouraging and almost expecting him to hit the heights of his former self. The high level that big Billy had set himself previously never quite materialised, despite the unwavering encouragement from coaches.
As it were, there was a couple of number 8’s vying for his position in the England setup. The fan favourites, Sam Simmonds and Harlequins superstar, Alex Dombrandt. Both topping the tables in terms of tries scored, these two played an entirely different ball game to the thunderous Vunipola.
Simmonds is a powerful yet slightly smaller back rower with tremendous speed and energy that allowed him to break the premiership try-scoring record with 21 in one season. Dombrandt on the other hand plays a dynamic game, with long-ranging legs and hands suitable for a Basketballer, he like many playmakers, can find space from anywhere.
Come 2021’s summer matches the news was out. Billy Vunipola out, Simmonds and Dombrandt in.
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This appeared to be the end of Vunopola’s international career. Very few could foresee a recall unless something drastic were to happen.
Despite being one of the trademark names to be dropped, Billy was not the only one. His brother Mako, George Ford, Elliot Daly, Jamie George, and others had their international hopes diminished as they saw the squad lists appear without their names present.
Hope was always present, however. Each one of those names above made their way back into the squad, albeit through injuries to others. So for Billy, there was always a chance, he just needed to sort his form out.
After being dropped from the England setup, Vunipola met with Jones in a pub in St Albans and was told he needed to rediscover his mojo, a statement that he initially rejected.
“I disagreed with Eddie, but looking back now he was right. That’s where this kind of all started. And I’m glad it did” explained Billy.
From here Vunipola decided to start speaking to a psychologist, he had the following to say regarding his experience:
“I’ve never really believed in psychologists before but after talking to Eddie I felt like I needed someone to tell me the honest truth
“And that was the start of my journey. I still talk with him here and there. He was a massive help. It had to be the right person and from the start we hit it off. I thought he was class.
Come the start of the 21/22 Premiership season, Saracens were back in the top flight of English rugby and ready to start mixing with the big boys once again. This enabled the 130kg number 8 to once again play world-class rugby week in and week out. This alongside his change in diet, lifestyle and attitude has seen the powerful forward smash straight back to his confident best.
As with elite-level sports, there are so many fine margins and that little bit of luck. Unfortunately for Simmonds and Dombrandt they’ve both picked up injuries which has left them sitting out the summer tour, but opened the doorway for the back-in-form Vunipola.
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It wasn’t an easy return to international rugby though, England lost their first test in over 6 years to the Aussies, and Billy’s father was having none of it.
“He sent me a really long message saying how disappointed he was with my performance, how he had been excited to see me play and just felt flat after the game because he hadn’t seen the person he thought was going to turn up,
“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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Not wanting to receive feedback like that from his father again, Billy ensured he put in a truly incredible performance in the second test. Finishing the match as England’s only try scorer and achieving the most carries (15), and the most metres made (66), there was nothing to feel flat about afterwards.
With the 3rd and final test of the season coming up Saturday morning UK time, this will be a huge chance for Billy to put down that permanent marker.
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