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'Freak' Mako Vunipola ready to dismantle Springboks

The RFU have revealed the true extent of Mako Vunipola's latest injury

Saracens captain Brad Barritt has warned South Africa that Mako Vunipola is the best prop in the world and will prove it for England in this summer’s three-Test series against the Springboks.

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Vunipola delivered another incredible performance to power Saracens to a fourth Aviva Premiership title defeating reigning champions Exeter 27-10 at a sun-drenched Twickenham last Saturday. Vunipola carried the ball 15 times and made 18 tackles to round off a remarkable season, which followed on from his front row heroics for the British and Irish Lions in their drawn Test series with the All Blacks last summer.

Vunipola’s excellence gives England fans hope after being left baffled and bemused by the manner of defeat by the Barbarians and belief that there are players capable of giving the Springboks real problems.

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Barritt, who was born in South Africa but became an England test regular winning 26 caps, on Monday signed a new two year contract with Saracens.

Barritt believes the Springboks will be prepared for the power Mako is going bring to the Test series, but they will not have experienced his all round game which is so important to club and country.

Barritt said: “Mako is the pinnacle at the moment and without doubt the best prop in the world. His impact on and off pitch is huge and he is a leader which makes him even more special and the things he can do are freakish for a loose head prop.

“His consistency of performance is unparalleled and to have that many impacts at set piece, ball carrying and tackling puts him on a different page to anyone else. We are very proud to have him in our team and he is someone who drives the club off the field as well as on it which makes him an unbelievable player.

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“I am sure South Africa will realise that in the first game of the series and it would be naïve to think they are not aware of his special talent and what a physical specimen he is. In the last six weeks he has led this club with his impact on the pitch and been the leader in all parts of the organisation.”

Mako is much quieter than younger brother Billy who proved his fitness for the tour in the win over Exeter and both offer England head coach Eddie Jones real physicality.

“They are very different characters: “added Barritt. “Mako is an intense individual with high standards and demands that of others. We celebrate at Saracens that everyone is different.”

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M
Mzilikazi 35 minutes ago
As the balance of power shifts away from Ireland, has Andy Farrell got his Lions calls right?

I did not think there would have been such a big Irish contingent, and must admit I am surprised by some of the selections. For example injury has taken Hanson back a long way in my opinion, and would agree with the comments on Darcy Graham being the better player over the past year.


Ryan also surprises me. I recall a couple of years before the last Lions tour, out to SA, he was being talked of as a possible captain. He then lost form, and was not selected. I don’t feel he has ever fully met the early hopes many of us would have had for him. Not even a first choice for Ireland.


I am happy to see the second Irish hooker in the squad. I highly rate Kelleher, but would concede George is very unlucky…fine player, good leader. And very happy to see Conan going….very smart player, who from all accounts has had to work very hard to get to the level he is at. Was never a noted school boy star. Interestingly, neither was van der Flier.


I’m not convinced Itoje will be a good captain. Very good lineout technican, but has tended to be a very niggly type of player, and concedes a lot of penalties. For example saw him put in a silly shoulder block off the ball playing for Saracens against Sale. He can also have games where is ineffective for periods. Not sure how he would go if it were the ABs or Boks, not that I’m writing the WB’s off as having no chance.


Despite my Irish heritage, neither am I happy to see Sexton in the coaching team. The Prendergast of the coaching world ? Would have thought he should have some time as a coach at some level before being so elevated.

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R
Ronan Furlong 51 minutes ago
As the balance of power shifts away from Ireland, has Andy Farrell got his Lions calls right?

“Why did England beat France but Ireland concede over 40 at home to the same opponents?”


Because France embarrassingly butchered the match against England by playing their worst game in about 4 years, and because the wounded real France turned up in Dublin a few weeks later with pride on the line.


I’m not basing my theory around the current Leinster …. I’m basing my theory around Kelleher being better than George at playing as an edge forward a la Sheehan (which is what Faz wants - hence no Dewi Lake either). I’m basing my theory on the absolute stupidity of anyone (like you) thinking Wainwright is a better 8 than Conan. I'm basing my theory on the stupidity of you wanting to take an unavailable Martin over James Ryan.


By the way, the “current Leinster” you're so happy to deride, are top of the URC and reached this years Euro semi finals, just like Saints. I didn’t notice any other English teams in the semis, did you? Are Sarries, Leceister, Quins, Sale et al not as good as Leinster? Presumably, by your logic, that means they are also overrepresented in the lions squad? Or does performance in Europe only matter for lions selection when Leinster lose by 4 points (as opposed to Leicester and Quins getting utterly embarrassed by URC teams?)


Let’s see how Saints get on against Bordeaux shall we? If they lose by more than Munster and Ulster lost to Bordeaux, should we be rethinking the inclusion of so many Saints players?


Of course not, as only an idiot would drop an entire cohort of players due to one lost game now, wouldn’t they?


p.s. I’m not surprised you’re welsh and cheering for England, as it’s a common 'Stockholm Syndrome’ trait from where you’re from. I'm a

little more surprised at your overt, small man bias against Leinster.


p.p.s Hansen is the lucky Irish player in the squad, no one else. But being from Connacht, he doesn’t fit your narrative does he? Partly because even you can't find a remotely deserving fit English or Welsh winger to replace him, can you?

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Maria Zambrano 1 hour ago
As the balance of power shifts away from Ireland, has Andy Farrell got his Lions calls right?

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