Wasps number eight Billy Vunipola admits his rise to the England squad is "unbelievable" after being hospitalised last year.
Set to be re-united with his brother at Saracens next year, England prop Mako Vunipola, Billy contracted discitis and then pnuemonia in hospital before recovering to star for Wasps in the Aviva Premiership this season.
"I was in hospital for quite a long time so to be sat here now (alongside Mako and in the England squad) is quite unbelievable," said Billy Vunipola.
"I had discitis. I got pneumonia and then I burned my back with a hot water bottle so I was in there for quite a bit longer. I fell asleep on the hot water bottle and forgot to put the outer cover on.
"When I came out of hospital I had to go on antibiotics and go in for regular checks.
"I am not sure I am about to be an England international just yet, but the prospect of it is really exciting."
"I phoned Billy when he was in hospital to ask if he was okay. When I went down to see him he asked me to bring him some food so I brought him KFC," said Mako Vunipola.
"I walked straight through the hospital with it and the nurse was like 'I thought you were supposed to be rugby players'!
"We were bigger than most of the boys but we felt our weight was holding us back a bit. We knew the work we would put in would give us a better chance (of making it at the highest level)."
Comments
rugby_rockstar says...
centre 12, LOL nope, its gone forever. :D
Posted 15:57 07th March 2013
APV1 says...
And Billy said:
"I think our dad feels a bit of loyalty towards the people in Wales, but for me and my brother to grow up in England, playing all our adult rugby in England, it feels right and that's how we both feel."
Posted 15:01 07th March 2013
Centre12 says...
@nubbin
I agree with everything your saying mate, 7-10 year residency rule would be ideal, the current 3 year rule is an absolute joke and the RFU are encouraging "poaching" by not changing the rule. Shame on them really!!!!!
@rugby_rockstar
Im never going to get that minute back am I???? Not your best post old chap
Posted 13:02 07th March 2013
Fonzarelli says...
As the son of an immigrant(my dad only), I feel I have a particular insight lost on others. My main feeling is nationality isn't something you're born with or are bestowed by parents, but something you come to feel over time. The Vunipolas would be a good example of this, with their Dad very keen that they follow their cousin and play for Wales, they clearly had their own feelings for their own reasons.
To the match, I'd be extremely happy if both of them started, but realistically Billy will be used for impact, along with Croft(2nd row sub), 12T and B Youngs.
Posted 12:51 07th March 2013
lawynd says...
@Isograford - not again. Yes, we all know your painful and harrowing story about how some Pom journalists once called into question your heritage...but it's been done, sunshine. It's in the past. The only people still bleating on about it are you and your ilk and frankly, it's rather pathetic from 'fans' (I use the term loosely) of the best international team in the world. Grow up, shut up and most importantly, do a bit of research so you don't look like such a spoon (not as sharp as a knife nor as useful as a fork) in the future.
Posted 10:53 07th March 2013
APV1 says...
STOP IT!
Isograford is just trolling and trying to get a rise out of you.
DON'T FEED THE TROLL!
Posted 10:22 07th March 2013
ben7 says...
@Isograford.......
Everyone just owned you.
Posted 09:56 07th March 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
Personally, I think sporting achievement for your adopted country is just one of the decent arguments for allowing people to make a new life in a new country. New ideas, hard work ethics and cultural exchange for the enjoyment of all, all good, positive, pint half full arguments. Lets jump over the atlantic and look as System Of A Down. Bleedin' awesome metal band whose members lived in Armenia when their were little kids, then imigated to california, grew up and formed one of the kick ass metal band of the new millenium. gave us metal a shot in the arm to the betterment of all concerned, save the parents association by hey ANOTHER PLUS! here's to annoying extremists! :)
When my faimliy moved from Cornwall to Plymouth, the city already had an established Chinese population which was damn lucky becasue I grew up LOVING Chinese Nosh. Delish. I'm happy that I don't have to travel halfway round the world for sweet and sour battered prawns. Sorry that last sentence has probably tiped this post over the edge, I couldn't help it. I think you get my drift though. ;) New ideas / culture / mind set is an invigorating thing.
Posted 09:50 07th March 2013
bullitt says...
It is quite refreshing to see the Kiwis bleat about poaching.
"you snooze, you loose" I think is a suitable rebuttal.
Posted 09:02 07th March 2013
jamesliveinhope says...
You only need to hold a conversation with Mako to know where he grew up, presume Billy has a similar West Country drawl.
@Isograford - whilst I agree that the whole PI thing was blown out of proportion. You have to remember that Graham Henry had spent a few years in Wales actively advertising for SH players with NH qualification, had been a major player in the "grannygate" scandal and his first act upon his return to New Zealand was to lift the Fijiian born Sivivatu after watching him play for the PI side.
Posted 08:43 07th March 2013
heart_of_oak says...
Chaps, you're wasting your breath responding to these taunts. If it isn't Isograford, there'll be a queue of others waiting to make a similar point. These are presumably people with very little of interest going on in their lives, who are obsessed with this nationality issue.
Having said all that - nubbin - great post.
Posted 07:49 07th March 2013
Brandywiner says...
@isograford
Bily moved to the UK when he was 6 and when Mako was 9. Mako graduated throught the Bristol academy. They have both been raised and developed here. And even if the IRB was to change the rules on residency they still would qualify seeing as they have lived here for 14 years. Manu Tuilagi has a similar story too raised and rugbyed right here in the UK.
Posted 00:56 07th March 2013
nubbin says...
I agree - look the last England line up against France -
15 Goode - English
14 Ashton -English
13 Tuilagi - Samoa - In England since he was 13 - chose to play for England
12 Barritt - S. Africa - English grandparents
11 Brown - English
10 Farrell - English
9 Youngs - English
1 Marler - English
2 Youngs - English
3 Cole - English
4 Launchbiry - English
5 Parling - English
6 Lawes - English
7 Robshaw - English
8 Woods -English
What I would agree with is a change to residency laws so that 10 years is the rule, not 3 - this would ensure only players coming through the adopted country's school and development systems play for that country.
Posted 22:03 06th March 2013
TVaddict says...
@Isograford
Because everyone around the world wishes they were English. We honour some with such a request. ;)
Posted 21:23 06th March 2013
Isograford says...
Well since New Zealanders had to put up for years with the English crying 'poaching!' despite the fact most Pacific Islanders who play for the AB's are born and bred Kiwi's, let me just say....poaching!
Becoming quite the World XV these days are the English.
Posted 18:03 06th March 2013