Page 20 - All Blacks v Lions - First Test

Vunipola was key to the Lions’ victory over the Crusaders in Christchurch two weeks ago
Vunipola’s time with Saracens and England means he is used to winning, but the All Blacks
are the toughest opposition
and will threaten that record – with the forward battle set to make for intriguing viewing.
In Joe Moody, Codie Taylor and Owen Franks, Steve Hansen has an impressive trio of front rowers. Vunipola, for his part, won’t be taking a backward step.
“We’ve always known how dif cult facing the All Blacks was going to be and how tough the challenge ahead of us is,” he says. “The Crusaders game was a mini dress rehearsal for the rst Test, because a lot of their pack play
for New Zealand too. That was a positive result for us, but we know how big a step up we need to take. We’ve got world-class players throughout this squad and any
one of them can do a job. Our pack is a collective effort no matter who plays, and all we want to do every time we go out there is do our best and ght for each other.”
Vunipola is the archetypal modern-day prop, balancing impressive handling skills and work rate around the park with a water-tight scrummage and solid lineout work. “No matter how good you are away from the set piece, your bread and butter as a prop is your scrum, and that’s no different for me,” he says. “The All Blacks do the basics very well, but it’s about more than that. It’s the extra detail that marks them out. All their forwards are very good ball-carriers and they work hard in defence.
INTERNATIONAL
“They read the game well, and TRY
when people are talking about their skills and not their basics, they’re obviously doing something right. Their lineout functions very well, and with their scrum, they can either play off it or demoralise a team by shoving right over them.
“They’re the ultimate challenge and we know we’re going up against the best pack in the world. We have to be ready for that.”
When the Lions run out this evening, Warren Gatland’s side will face a team that has won the last two World Cups, and not been beaten at Eden Park since 1994. Vunipola – whose brother Billy was ruled out of the tour at the last moment with a shoulder injury – has his heart set on trying to end that 23-year winning record. Does he allow himself to dream of victory and a potential series win in the toughest rugby nation on the planet? Absolutely.
Vunipola’s passion burns bright. A Lions win tonight would mean everything to all those wearing red, but Vunipola’s journey and place of birth gives him a unique perspective on what lies ahead. “It’s hard enough to come out
here and win a Test match, let alone a Test series. It would be historic,” he says.
“We know the enormity of the challenge ahead of us tonight.
The All Blacks have an impressive record at Eden Park, but we’re
not going to shy away from that. We have to meet it head on. We’re excited for this Test series – and we want to start with a win.”
MAKO VUNIPOLA BY THE NUMBERS
2 SIX NATIONS TITLES WITH ENGLAND
42
TEST CAPS FOR ENGLAND
3 TEST APPEARANCES FOR THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS
26 YEARS OF AGE
1 COUSIN, TAULUPE FALETAU, IN THE
12017 LIONS SQUAD SIX NATIONS
GRAND SLAM
WITH ENGLAND
2 CHAMPIONS CUP WINS WITH SARACENS
2 TOURS WITH THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS
20 // OFFICIAL SOUVENIR PROGRAMME
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