Billy Vunipola felt he owed Steve Borthwick an apology for his arrogant behavior in 2019 and reconciled earlier in the year. Photo: Julian Finney for the Telegraph
Billy Vunipole has something to take off his chest. Rumors that have circulated since his unexpected absence in January from Steve Borthwick's first-team England Six Nations squad suggest it was the result of a split between the pair four years ago during a World Cup training camp in Treviso.
This worried Saracen #8 for two reasons. First, because he knew that his omission, as much as it annoyed him when Borthwick broke the news to him, was solely related to rugby and had nothing to do with any quarrel between them.
The 30-year-old's first thought may have been to protest the decision, but it was soon followed by a depressing feeling that the New England head coach was right to point out that his form last fall simply didn't guarantee a spot. despite his 68 caps and two World Cup campaigns.
«When someone says something to you and you get offended by it, like if someone says to me, 'Billy, you need to lose weight' and I get offended by it — it usually means it's the right thing to do,» Vunipola told Telegraph Sport .
“So when I had a conversation with Steve and he told me that I was not reaching my potential and not doing my job, my first reaction was: “Who is this guy to say that? » But when I sat down and finally thought, I said to myself: «You know what, he's right.» It was obvious that I was not playing well in November.
Vunipiola (centre) made some harsh and undiplomatic remarks to Borthwick (right) when he was England striker coach in 2019. Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
«We talked about the fall when I wasn't as visible as I should have been and could be compared to what I used to be.
“I had an honest conversation about how he didn’t see the player that I could be. So, my task was to go back to the club and show it to him. Not just for him, but for me, I think I've reached a stage where I need to take on additional responsibility to move forward with my game.»
If Borthwick was right, extra time for reflection also led Vunipolu to conclude that his behavior in the incident during the warm training camp at Treviso was so wrong that he felt compelled to apologize at a meeting with the head coach at the end of the Six Nations in March.
Referring to an incident that occurred while Borthwick was England striker manager during Eddie Jones' tenure, Vunipola admits his behavior was unacceptable.
«I was very, very ahead of myself then,» Vunipola recalled. “Because you know we just won a double with the Saracens, I played very well in the semi-finals and final and knew that I would be in the England team [going to the World Cup in Japan].
“I said some inappropriate things»
“I had a conversation with Steve about rugby after training when we were in Treviso. I said a few things that were off the line, basically. I said something that Steve should never have said in this way and in front of other people.
Vunipola is not believes his words in 2019 cost him his place on Borthwick's Six Nations team four years later, but he thought he owed his head coach an apology nonetheless. Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
«We already had conversations about my rugby in January and it's important to say that I don't believe it had anything to do with the fact that I didn't play in the Six Nations.
«But I felt that it's important for me to solve this problem and actually apologize to Steve by growing up a little. I just wanted him to know that I'm sorry, because I'm sorry, you know.
“He should never have been in a situation where I made him feel like I was patronizing him. Especially as a senior, not just a coach, but a person who is older than me. What I did to Steve was very disrespectful.»
The couple kept in touch during Six Nations when Vunipola rolled up his sleeves, determined to prove to the new head coach that he could respond positively to being expelled out of the championship by showing leadership in the Saracens — pushing himself and the team. team — when they lost their English contingent.
“We had conversations during Six Nations where he gave me directions on what else I could work on, which was positive for me,” Vunipola added. Then Borthwick visited him at his home in St Albans at the end of the championship to talk about his position in the team, Vunipola apologized.
«I apologized to Steve, we buried the hatchet»
“I felt it was important to apologize, but also to realize that my actions were wrong,” he added. «So I apologized to Steve, we buried the hatchet, or at least I feel like he forgave me, which I thought should have happened.»
Bortwick was visibly impressed with Vunipola's attitude and his return to form with his club, including him in their World Cup training teams, although he was still recovering from a torn lateral meniscus in his right knee during the Saracens' European Cup loss to La Rochelle in April.
Borthwick reminded Vunipole that every team that won the World Cup had an outstanding eight. Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
Playing with the extra pressure at the Saracens when we were missing so many players helped me as a player, not only giving me confidence but also knowing what I should play and if I I won’t do it, we will fight,” he added.
“Sarries was in a very good position after the Six Nations period and I felt like I played a big role in that. And I felt like I showed Steve that I wanted to play for England just like everyone else.
“It would have been easy for me to pout and tell him he was wrong. But to say something then would be out of anger, disappointment. Once you accept things for what they are, I feel like I played rugby for a while in my prime. It felt like I was presenting myself in a shop window for Steve and I think he saw how motivated I was and that was all I could do. The rest was up to him and whether he was willing and able to trust me that I would come back and play well. That's why I was so disappointed when I got injured.»
Rehabilitation from keyhole surgery was in full swing when his knee gave out again while training in Brighton in June, a relapse he feared was over . he hopes for a world championship.
«Sitting here now is a blessing in itself»
“I was probably ahead of schedule, running a lot, went into a turn and just fell face down on the ground,” he said. “I remember the physical therapist then asking me if I was okay. I said, «I think I'm fine, but I don't think I can run.» He was worried and at the time I really thought I wouldn't be able to travel and participate in any activities.
«I fell on Tuesday, had a scan the next day, and had surgery to remove it on Friday.» cartilage parts. The technology is unreal right now. I was walking again two days later and running again two weeks later. Sitting here now is a blessing in itself.”
Returning to the Saracens to rehab, it wasn't until his cell phone rang at 9am on Sunday morning that Vunipola knew for sure he was headed for that third World Cup.
“We had breakfast at my home in St Albans with my wife Simmon and my son Judah. I put it on the loudspeaker,” he added. «I had several phone calls when I did the same thing when I was dumped, so I felt it was important that we sit there as a family and hear everything together.»
«The conversation that me was. it was the same with Steve [in January]. It was in the evening, we had just returned from dinner. My wife sat there and heard and saw the disappointment on my face, so I thought it was important to just share it again.
“When I got the call, I was a little nervous, but everything changed. when I heard him say «Congratulations».
“Steve told me that I have a huge responsibility to be the team coordinator. He said that every team that won the World Cup had an outstanding eight, a big eight like Duane Vermeulen, Kieran Reid and Lawrence Dallaglio. This is an important role for the team and I am very, very excited.”
Now all he needs is playing time. He always feels that he is at his best in matches and not in training. As England's only No. 8 man, he says he would like to play every game in France if possible.
«I would like to play on Saturday [against Wales at Twickenham]» he added . “There was a lot of talk before the last World Cup that the more I play, the better I get. The more volume I can pump with my legs and body, the better I will be ready for the upcoming game.
“My job is to play, I would like to play as many minutes in as many games as possible. Our focus has always been on being the dominant front team, first and foremost on creating a platform for our backs. I can't wait.
Свежие комментарии