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'It's probably better to expect booing to happen, and then wait and see'

Saracens' Billy Vunipola looks on during Tuesday's training session in St Albans (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Mark McCall expects fans to boo Billy Vunipola again after the Saracens and England forward’s official warning from the Rugby Football Union for a homophobic Instagram comment.

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Rugby director McCall confirmed Vunipola will start Saturday’s Champions Cup semi-final against Munster at Ricoh Arena, then admitted the number eight must handle whatever crowd flak comes his way.

The 41-cap back-rower has been warned by both club and country after a social media post last week that read “man was made for woman to procreate that was the goal no?”

The England star had liked a social media post from Australia’s Israel Folau, that stated “hell awaits” for “homosexuals”.

Asked if he hopes fans will not boo Vunipola again, McCall said: “That’s not something we can control, to be honest. Whatever happens, will happen. He has got to deal with that, and we’ve got to deal with that as a group. It’s probably better to expect it to happen, and then wait and see.”

Wallabies full-back Folau was sacked by the Australian Rugby Union for his controversial Instagram post.

The devout Christian has pledged to accept his fate, while England star Vunipola has been warned about his future conduct after liking Folau’s post.

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Asked if he was concerned for Vunipola’s mental state, McCall continued: “No. Billy’s sensitive, but I think he’s also strong.

“He’s also got a group who, he’s been with us for a long time now, and a group who support their team-mates. They get behind each other from a rugby point of view, and that’s what we’ll do for this weekend.”

Vunipola had been booed by supporters during Saracens’ 23-21 Premiership defeat at Bristol on Saturday. He said in a statement: “I can see that my recent post has hurt people. My intention was never to cause suffering. My intention was to express my belief in the word of God.

“These beliefs are a source of great strength, comfort and guidance in my life. This is deeply personal and does not represent the views of my team. Anyone who knows me, knows I live with kindness and love towards ALL people.

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“I have faith. My Christian faith has sustained me through the ups and many downs of my life. God has given and continues to give me many reasons in life to be grateful.”

– Press Association

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reginaldgarcia 40 minutes ago
Crusaders rookie earns 'other than Dupont' praise from All Blacks star

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JW 1 hour ago
Kyren Taumoefolau All Blacks stance splits opinions on eligibility

MP are a NZ side through and through, NZ is even having to pay for it.

Yes they caved to public demand, I bet it accomplished a lot of internal goals. They could have left it to the other groups, but I’m of the belief that they weren’t showing the capability to make it work as being a good reason for NZR to jump in and do it. I think it’s actually funded 50/50 between NZR and WR though.

(when nothing was stopping a pi player playing for any side in Super Rugby)

Neither is that fact true. Only 3 non NZ players are allowed in each squad.


I see you also need to learn what the term poach means - take or acquire in an unfair or clandestine way. - Moana have more slots for non eligible players (and you have seen many return to an NZ franchise) so players are largely making their own choice without any outside coercion ala Julian Savea.

Not one of these Kiwis and Aussies would go live in the Islands to satisfy any criteria, and I’d say most of them have hardly ever set foot in the islands, outside of a holiday.

Another inaccurate statement. Take Mo’unga’s nephew Armstrong-Ravula, if he is not eligible via ancestry in a couple of generations time, he will be eligible because he plays his rugby there (even if he’s only their for rugby and not living there), that is a recent change made by World Rugby to better reflect examples like Fabian Holland and Fakatava.

It’s becoming the jump-ship/zero loyalty joke that international League is.

Look I understand you’re reason to cry and make an example at any opportunity, but you don’t really need to anymore, other recent changes made by WR are basically going to stop the Ireland situation, and time (perhaps no more than a decade) will fix the rest.

26 Go to comments
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