Billy Vunipola knows it’s not only Nathan Hughes gunning for his jersey
No.8 Vunipola, 23, was at the heart of June’s thumping Test series victory over Australia, which followed hot on the heels of a Six Nations Grand Slam and his sterling contribution to Saracens’ Premiership and European Champions Cup double.
However, the looming presence of formidable Fijian Hughes – newly promoted to England‘s 45-man training squad after completing a three-year residential qualification – means Vunipola’s feet are firmly planted on the ground.
Vunipola told The Rugby Paper: “When I saw Nathan, right, at Lensbury last month, I told him I didn’t like him at all! Seriously, though, it’s always good to have people like him around and he’s a pretty awesome player.
“I think we’ll feed off each other and make each other better, and maybe if we get the chance we might even be in the same team. That’s up to the coaches, but the other stuff is my part of the bargain and it’s great having new people in the squad like Nathan, while Josh Beaumont is fit again and Jack Clifford is fighting for the shirt as well.
“Cliffie’s more in the Kieran Read mould – quick, skilful and good looking – so I’m playing catch-up already – but it’s such an exciting time and we can definitely become better as a group of players.”
England boss Eddie Jones made Vunipola one of his vice-captains ahead of the Six Nations and was rewarded with a string of outstanding displays. However, the Tongan hitman is not resting on his laurels, explaining: “I’ve come to realise over time that you can’t think too far ahead.
“My head was so big before that I thought no one could touch me, whereas now I’ll take it upon myself to become a better player.
“I’ll talk to the coaches, listen to how they think I can improve, and we’ll work together. That’s something Saracens have taught me because we talk about being honest and humble and that’s helping my rugby.
“I used to think about driving nice cars but forgot about the important stuff, the people at the club and how we treat each other. But now I’m working hard to give my best and that’s what we’re judged on.
“The key focus now is always trying to improve, both for club and country, and make sure that we aren’t fighting each other.”
Where once Vunipola was wild, his game unrefined, Jones has tapped into his Pacific island psyche and extracted the best from it.
Vunipola appreciates the trust the Australian has placed in him, adding: “The biggest thing with Eddie is he’s worked with a lot of islanders, so I’ve taken everything he’s said on board.
“He’s worked with the likes of Toutai Kefu and George Smith and everything he says I treat at face value because he speaks to you with brutal honesty, whether it’s good or bad.
“He’s kind of mentally told me just to be myself and not try to be a Kieran Read, Louis Picamoles or Toby Faletau. He just wants me to go out there, be physical and be Billy.
“It was nothing technical involved, he was vague – just how islanders like it – but it worked and I kind of just took off from the Six Nations and now it’s about evolving and getting better, and I’m trying my best to ensure that happens.
“Eddie knows how to look after islanders. He knows a lot of us are very emotional, including myself, and he kind of took that stance with me. It’s worked well but the onus now is on me to not take advantage and become lazy.”
England’s progress since their World Cup disaster has been startling. However, Vunipola concedes New Zealand‘s recent twin demolitions of Australia offer a stark reminder of how much further they must travel to be the best.
He added: “New Zealand are just so good. I’ve got to admit that because I watched the games and you’re trying to pick faults, but it’s very hard to do.
“They’re great in attack, great in defence, great at the set-piece, so instead you’ve just got to find areas of your own game to improve and get even better.
“I’m sure Eddie will point to what New Zealand are doing as a way of keeping our feet on the ground and, for me personally, the biggest focus right now is getting back into his team – and that means playing well for Saracens.”
NEALE HARVEY
