Mako Vunipola

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Mako Vunipola
Birth nameMakovina Wanangarua I Whanga Nui-Atara Vunipola
Date of birth (1991-01-14) 14 January 1991 (age 33)
Place of birthWellington, New Zealand
Height1.8 m (5 ft 11 in)
Weight121 kg (19 st 1 lb; 267 lb)[1]
SchoolPorth County Community School
West Monmouth School[2]
The Castle School
Millfield
Notable relative(s)Feʻao Vunipola (father)
Billy Vunipola (brother)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Loosehead prop
Current team Saracens
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2009–10
2010–11
2011–		 Clifton
Bristol
Saracens		 7
35
115		 (10)
(25)
(60)
Correct as of 2 April 2017
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)

2010–11
2012–
2013		 England U18
England U20
England
British and Irish Lions
9
42
3
(5)
(5)
(0)
Correct as of 18 March 2017

Mako Vunipola (born 14 January 1991) is an England international rugby union player. He plays at loosehead prop for Saracens in the Aviva Premiership.

Early life

Born in Wellington, New Zealand, Vunipola was raised for much of his childhood in Wales and attended Porth County Community School, and later West Monmouth School. His family then moved to Thornbury, Gloucestershire, and he attended the local comprehensive The Castle School and then Millfield.

Club career

Bristol

Vunipola began his professional career at Bristol Rugby, and began to build his reputation in the South West, where his loose play was first perceived as outstanding.

Saracens

Vunipola was signed at the end of the 2010–11 RFU Championship season by the 2010–11 Aviva Premiership Champions Saracens.[3]

International career

Vunipola represented the England U18 and U20 teams.[4] He was called up to the England Saxons Squad in September 2012 to replace Dave Wilson, who was promoted to the senior squad.[5] He was then called up to the England Squad in October 2012 for the Autumn Internationals, before making his debut from the bench against Fiji on 10 November 2012. He scored his first try for England during a 52-11 win over Italy.[6]

In 2013 Vunipola was selected for the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia, playing in all three tests.[7][8]

Personal life

Vunipola is the son of former Tongan captain Fe'ao Vunipola and Methodist Minister, Rev. Iesinga Vunipola (who is also Chaplain to the UK Tongan Community).[9] He is also the nephew of two other former international players, Manu and 'Elisi Vunipola who both represented Tonga in the 1990s. His early rugby career began playing for New Panteg RFC, playing alongside current Welsh Number 8 Taulupe Faletau. He also has a brother, Billy Vunipola who plays at number 8 for Saracens and England.

References

  1. ^ "Aviva Premiership Rugby - Saracens". web page. Premier Rugby. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
  2. ^ http://westmonmouthschool.com/west-mon-boy-picked-for-the-lions-tour-of-australia-2/
  3. ^ "Mako Vunipola To Leave For Saracens". Bristol Rugby. 6 April 2011. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  4. ^ http://www.rfu.com/SquadsAndPlayers/EnglandUnder20s/MakoVunipola.aspx
  5. ^ "BBC Sport - Dave Wilson wins promotion to England's elite player squad". Bbc.co.uk. 25 September 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  6. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/26550308 BBC Sport. Six Nations 2014: England hammer Italy and wait on Ireland
  7. ^ "VIDEO – England announce 32-man squad for QBE Internationals". Rfu.com. 24 October 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  8. ^ Paul Rees (30 April 2013). "Jonny Wilkinson turned down Lions chance, says Warren Gatland". London: Guardian. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
  9. ^ Chadband, Ian (7 March 2013). "England v Italy: Vunipola brothers Mako and Billy want Mum to see their Sunday best". London: Daily Telegraph.

External links

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