Mako Vunipola full of praise for Eddie Jones
England's head coach Eddie Jones in discussion with Mako Vunipola during the 2019 Rugby World Cup Pool C match at Tokyo Stadium. PA Photo. Picture date: Saturday October 5, 2019. See PA story RUGBYU England. Photo credit should read: Ashley Western/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. Strictly no commercial use or association. Still image use only. Use implies acceptance of RWC 2019 T&Cs (in particular Section 5 of RWC 2019 T&Cs) at URL: bit.ly/2knOId6
Saracens loosehead prop Mako Vunipola has sung England boss Eddie Jones’s praises and said he is the best coach he has ever worked with.
Vunipola has been a key figure under Jones, helping England to reach the World Cup final last year, and said he is delighted that the Australian will lead England to the next World Cup.
Jones, who took over as head coach in 2015, signed a new deal earlier this month which will keep him in the role until the end of the next World Cup in 2023.
Vunipola believes Jones allows his players to play their natural game and that he is the perfect man to lead the side forward.
“It is great for us players, to have that understanding at the helm for the next three years now,” Vunipola told talkSPORT.
“He is one of the best coaches I have worked with if not the best, he gives us players the confidence to go out there and play our game.
“You need the belief of the head coach, for us we just have to go out there and he makes it easy for us wanting to play for him.”
🗣️ "Everyone needs to take heed of his messages and make sure you aren’t the guy who gets cut."
🏴 Billy Vunipola keen to stay in Eddie Jones’ England plans. 👉 https://t.co/EXFidP9Syd pic.twitter.com/PdzQ2AdqU8
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) April 14, 2020
England’s charge to the final in Japan featured a battling quarter-final victory over Australia before a stunning win over back-to-back defending champions New Zealand in the semi-final.
But Jones’ side could not repeat their heroics in the final, where they were well beaten by South Africa.
“I look on it as a journey, it was an amazing journey for us,” added Vunipola.
“Before the World Cup we knew that we had a chance but it was pretty much all in camp and to get to the final was a massive achievement.
“Unfortunately it wasn’t ideal in the final but we were beaten by the better team.
“You have to look at the whole six months from where we started and where we ended up and be proud to be honest.”
