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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
Height1.80 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 Vannes
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2009–2010 Clifton 11 (10)
2010–2011 Bristol 40 (25)
2011–2024 Saracens 234 (145)
2024– Vannes 9 (15)
Correct as of 23 November 2024
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2010–2011 England U20 12 (10)
2012–2023 England 79 (10)
2013, 2017, 2021 British & Irish Lions 9 (0)
Correct as of 18 March 2023
Medal record
Men's Rugby union
Representing  England
Rugby World Cup
Silver medal – second place 2019 Japan Squad

Mako Vunipola (born 14 January 1991) is a professional rugby union player who plays as a loosehead prop for French club Vannes in the Top 14 He previously played for the England national team. Born in New Zealand to Tongan parents, he qualified for England through residency having lived and been educated in Wales and then England since the age of 7.

Vunipola made his England debut in 2012 and has since won 79 caps. He toured with the British & Irish Lions in 2013, 2017 and 2021, winning 9 caps. He won the award for England Player of the Year in 2018.[3]

Early life

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Born in Wellington, New Zealand, son of Iesinga, Vunipola was raised for much of his childhood in Wales and attended Porth Junior School, and later West Monmouth School.[2] He started playing rugby in Wales, and played alongside brother Billy for New Panteg RFC. His family then moved to Thornbury, Gloucestershire, and he attended the local comprehensive The Castle School and then Millfield.[4]

Club career

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Bristol

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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

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Vunipola was signed at the end of the 2010–11 RFU Championship season by the 2010–11 Premiership Champions Saracens.[5] During his time at Saracens he has won four Premiership titles in 2015,[6] 2016,[7] 2018[8] and 2019, with Vunipola featuring in three of the four finals (he missed 2019 through injury).[9] He also helped Saracens win the European Rugby Champions Cup three times in four seasons; against Racing 92 in 2016,[10] defeating ASM Clermont Auvergne at Murrayfield to retain their title in 2017[11] and the victory over Leinster at St James' Park in 2019.[12]

After Saracens were relegated from the Premiership due to salary cap breaches,[13] Vunipola scored a try in the 2021 Championship play-off final as they overcame Ealing Trailfinders to gain promotion and an immediate return to the top flight.[14]

Vannes

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On 2 July 2024, after 13 seasons at Saracens, Vunipola announced his departure from the club, along with his brother Billy Vunipola, as he signs for French side Vannes, who are newly-promoted to the Top 14 competition on a two-year deal from the 2024-25 season.[15]

International career

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England

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Vunipola represented the England U18 and U20 teams.[16] He was a member of the squad that finished fourth at the 2010 IRB Junior World Championship.[17][18] Vunipola scored a try against Scotland during the 2011 Six Nations Under 20s Championship[19] and started the final round as England won away against Ireland to complete a grand slam.[20] Later that year he scored a try against Ireland during their opening pool stage fixture at the 2011 IRB Junior World Championship[21] and also started in the final of the tournament as England finished runners up to New Zealand.[22]

In September 2012 Vunipola was called up to the England Saxons squad to replace David Wilson who had been promoted to the senior squad[23] and in October Vunipola was included in the senior England squad for the 2012 Autumn Internationals.[24] On 10 November 2012 he made his Test debut off the bench as a replacement for Joe Marler against Fiji.[25] The following month saw Vunipola receive a yellow card in a victory over New Zealand.[26]

Vunipola scored his first try for England during a 52-11 win over Italy in the final round of the 2014 Six Nations Championship which saw them finish runners up.[27] Vunipola was selected by coach Stuart Lancaster for the 2015 Rugby World Cup[28] and featured in all of their pool fixtures as the hosts failed to make the knockout phase.[29]

In January 2016 new head coach Eddie Jones included Vunipola in his squad for the 2016 Six Nations Championship[30] and he started the concluding game of the tournament as England defeated France to achieve their first grand slam in over a decade.[31] Vunipola was also a member of the side that retained their title during the 2017 Six Nations Championship,[32] missing out on a consecutive grand slam with defeat in the final game away to Ireland which also brought an end to a record equalling eighteen successive Test victories.[32] In June 2018 Vunipola played his 50th test during the opening match of their 2018 tour of South Africa.[33]

Vunipola was included in the squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.[34] He started all three knockout games against Australia in the quarter-final,[35] victory over New Zealand in the semi-final[36] and defeat to South Africa in the final as England finished runners up.[37]

After the World Cup Vunipola was a member of the squad that won the 2020 Six Nations Championship[38] and later that year he scored his second international try in an Autumn Nations Cup match against Wales at Parc y Scarlets.[39] An achilles injury sustained in this game ruled out him out of the final of the competition.[40]

He retired from international rugby on the 12th January 2024.

British and Irish Lions

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Vunipola was selected for the 2013 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia.[41] He replaced Alex Corbisiero during the second-half of the first test victory,[42] started the defeat in the second test[43] and again came off the bench in the final game as the Lions defeated Australia to win their first series in sixteen years.[44]

In 2017 Vunipola was again included by coach Warren Gatland for the British and Irish Lions.[45] This time Vunipola would be touring to his birthplace in New Zealand. Vunipola's younger brother Billy was selected for the team as well, but withdrew before leaving for New Zealand, and was replaced by James Haskell in the squad.[46] After strong performances during the tour, Vunipola started against the Māori All Blacks[47] and the opening test of the series.[48] He received a yellow card in the second test for a dangerous tackle on opposing fly-half Beauden Barrett[49] and also started the drawn final game as the series finished level.[50]

In 2021 Vunipola was chosen for his third British and Irish Lions tour to complete the famous trilogy.[51] Coming off the bench in the first test,[52] starting the second test[53] and coming off the bench in the third test,[54] at the end of the tour he finished with nine consecutive test series appearances.


International tries

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As of 28 November 2020.[55]
Try Opposing team Location Venue Competition Date Result Score
1  Italy Rome, Italy Stadio Olimpico 2014 Six Nations 15 March 2014 Win 52 – 11[27]
2  Wales Llanelli, Wales Parc y Scarlets Autumn Nations Cup 28 November 2020 Win 24 – 13[39]

Personal life

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Vunipola is the son of former Tonga captain Fe'ao Vunipola and Methodist minister, Iesinga Vunipola.[56] 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 has a brother, Billy Vunipola who plays at number 8 for Saracens and England. In 2018, Vunipola and his partner had a son, Jacob.

Honours

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England

Saracens

References

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  1. ^ "Premiership Rugby profile". Premiership Rugby. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
  2. ^ a b Bain, Will (19 June 2013). "Pride at West Mon School in Pontypool as ex-pupil Mako Vunipola stars with British and Irish Lions". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  3. ^ "Mako wins England Player of the Year 2018". Kaniva Tonga. 10 May 2018. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  4. ^ Hewett, Chris (25 January 2013). "Mako Vunipola's rise to the red rose". The Independent. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  5. ^ "Saracens land Bristol's Mako Vunipola". BBC Sport. 6 April 2011. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  6. ^ a b Hassan, Nabil (30 May 2015). "Premiership final: Bath 16-28 Saracens". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  7. ^ a b Pilnick, Brent (28 May 2016). "Premiership final: Saracens 28-20 Exeter Chiefs". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  8. ^ a b Williams, Adam (26 May 2018). "Premiership final: Exeter Chiefs 10-27 Saracens". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  9. ^ "'Significant' hamstring injury ends season for Saracens and England prop Mako Vunipola". talkingrugbyunion.co.uk. 17 May 2019. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  10. ^ a b Standley, James (14 May 2016). "Saracens beat Racing 92 to win first European Champions Cup". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  11. ^ a b Standley, James (13 May 2017). "European Champions Cup: Saracens beat Clermont 28-17 to retain European title". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  12. ^ a b Mann, Mantej (11 May 2019). "Leinster 10-20 Saracens: English side win third Champions Cup in Newcastle". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  13. ^ Meagher, Gerard (14 February 2020). "Saracens' Mako Vunipola has no regrets over fateful investment". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  14. ^ a b "Saracens 57-15 Ealing: Players 'showed faith in club', says Mark McCall as Sarries promoted back to Premiership". BBC Sport. 20 June 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  15. ^ "Mako Vunipola: Former England prop joins newly-promoted Top 14 side Vannes on a two-year deal". BBC Sport. 2 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  16. ^ "Mako Vunipola - Official RFU England Profile". Archived from the original on 9 August 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
  17. ^ "U20 World Cup: Ireland 21-36 England". RTÉ. 9 June 2010. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  18. ^ "Record-setting Baby Blacks take JWC crown". ESPN. 22 June 2010. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  19. ^ "Rugby: Scotland overpowered as England Under-20s march on". The Scotsman. 11 March 2011. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  20. ^ "Ford drives England to overall glory". The Irish Times. 19 March 2011. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  21. ^ "England edge out Ireland in opener". ESPN. 10 June 2011. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  22. ^ Mole, Giles (18 January 2019). "Dan Robson joins the club: How 2011 world junior final between England and New Zealand spawned 27 Test stars". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  23. ^ "Dave Wilson wins promotion to England's elite player squad". BBC Sport. 25 September 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  24. ^ "VIDEO – England announce 32-man squad for QBE Internationals". Rfu.com. 24 October 2012. Archived from the original on 23 February 2013. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  25. ^ Fordyce, Tom (10 November 2012). "England 54-12 Fiji". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  26. ^ Fordyce, Tom (1 December 2012). "England 38-21 New Zealand". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  27. ^ a b Fordyce, Tom (15 March 2014). "Six Nations 2014: England hammer Italy and wait on Ireland". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 March 2014.
  28. ^ "Who's in England's Rugby World Cup squad?". BBC. 27 August 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  29. ^ Guscott, Jeremy (5 October 2015). "Rugby World Cup 2015: England fail to deliver - again". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  30. ^ "Six Nations 2016: Josh Beaumont in new-look England squad". BBC Sport. 13 January 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  31. ^ a b Fordyce, Tom (19 March 2016). "Six Nations 2016: England win Grand Slam with France victory". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  32. ^ a b c Fordyce, Tom (18 March 2017). "Six Nations 2017: Ireland 13-9 England". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  33. ^ Kitson, Robert (9 June 2018). "S'busiso Nkosi powers South Africa to stunning comeback win over England". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  34. ^ Jones, Chris (12 August 2019). "Rugby World Cup: England leave out Te'o, name Ludlam & McConnochie in squad". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  35. ^ Fordyce, Tom (19 October 2019). "England beat Australia 40-16 to make Rugby World Cup semi-finals". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  36. ^ Fordyce, Tom (26 October 2019). "England 19-7 New Zealand: Eddie Jones' side beat All Blacks to reach World Cup final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  37. ^ a b Fordyce, Tom (2 November 2019). "England 12-32 South Africa: Springboks win World Cup for record-equalling third time". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  38. ^ a b Grey, Becky (31 October 2020). "Italy 5-34 England: Visitors' victory proves enough to win Six Nations title". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  39. ^ a b Griffiths, Gareth (28 November 2020). "Autumn Nations Cup: England beat Wales 24-13 to reach final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  40. ^ "England v France: Mako Vunipola ruled out of Autumn Nations Cup final with Achilles problem". BBC Sport. 5 December 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  41. ^ Rees, Paul (30 April 2013). "Jonny Wilkinson turned down Lions chance, says Warren Gatland". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
  42. ^ Palmer, Bryn (22 June 2013). "Lions 2013: Australia 21-23 British and Irish Lions". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  43. ^ Palmer, Bryn (29 June 2013). "Australia beat British & Irish Lions 16-15 in second Test". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  44. ^ Palmer, Bryn (6 July 2013). "British and Irish Lions thrash Australia to seal series win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  45. ^ "British and Irish Lions 2017: Sam Warburton captain, Dylan Hartley out". BBC Sport. 19 April 2017. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  46. ^ "British and Irish Lions 2017: Billy Vunipola withdraws from squad with shoulder injury". BBC Sport. 21 May 2017. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  47. ^ Davis, Matt (18 June 2017). "British and Irish Lions power to win against the Maori All Blacks". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  48. ^ Fordyce, Tom (24 June 2017). "New Zealand beat British and Irish Lions 30-15 in first Test in Auckland". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  49. ^ Fordyce, Tom (1 July 2017). "British and Irish Lions beat New Zealand 24-21 to set up series decider". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  50. ^ Fordyce, Tom (8 July 2017). "British and Irish Lions draw 15-15 with New Zealand as series ends level at 1-1". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  51. ^ "British and Irish Lions 2021: Sam Simmonds in 37-man squad but Billy Vunipola misses out". BBC Sport. 6 May 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  52. ^ Henson, Mike (24 July 2021). "British and Irish Lions: Lions fight back to clinch series opener". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  53. ^ Grey, Becky (31 July 2021). "South Africa 27-9 British and Irish Lions: Springboks level series in fiery encounter". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  54. ^ Grey, Becky (7 August 2021). "South Africa 19-16 British and Irish Lions: Morne Steyn's late penalty wins series". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  55. ^ "ESPN profile: Mako Vunipola". ESPN. Archived from the original on 3 July 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  56. ^ Chadband, Ian (7 March 2013). "England v Italy: Vunipola brothers Mako and Billy want Mum to see their Sunday best". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
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