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Vunipola the latest to defend Owen Farrell
By Peter Thompson
Billy Vunipola has staunchly defended Owen Farrell's leadership skills after England's Six Nations capitulation against Scotland.
Farrell had a second half to forget as England blew a 31-point lead to draw 38-38 in an astonishing final match of the tournament at Twickenham on Saturday.
Eddie Jones replaced Farrell, sole captain in the absence of Dylan Hartley, and said the fly-half had "lost a bit of his edge" after Scotland roared back to retain the Calcutta Cup.
Vunipola says his Saracens and England team-mate does not deserve the criticism that has come his way.
The number eight told Omnisport: "The media is up and down and sometimes you can't believe the hype. I support Faz and what he's brought to the group, the way he's led us.
"It's just unfortunate that we didn't get the results that we wanted but it's coming, I believe that it will, I have faith that it will, we just have to show everyone else."
He added: "It was only a few weeks ago that he was one of the best [fly-halves in the world] and now obviously we have one bad half and now everyone's questioning, is he still our captain?
"That's the pressure that comes with playing for England and that's just something that we have to learn from, same for him.
"He has my support and I'm just in the team to try and help in any way that I can and he's doing the same but leading us."
- Vunipola was speaking at a coaching session he was leading with fellow Saracens and Harlequins players on behalf of Land Rover at Beaconsfield RFC.
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Latest Comments
They won’t be rested Ed. Gathie was forced to ditch that practice, by WR, LNR, or whoever, IDK.
It’s very simple and you obviously know this, they do what’s best for the athlete. Galthie is just doing his part in making sure they don’t break, you know, like a team effort.
Just as LNRs teams are.
Bottom lines? The players don’t get a lot of rest as their season is so long, yes, but Galthie can select any player he wants in an International window. You just have to ask yourself does Galthie want to select that player or ensure they are rested? You just need to stop being obtuse, and some French white knight guy, what you say is simply untrue.
Why not just word it properly?
Go to commentsI can see where you are coming from.
The ANZAC myth has been used by sports teams for years. Some to a greater degree e.g. the old Rugby League ANZAC test, some other sports will make passing reference in the advertising or commentary etc.
I don’t think the ANZACs (looking down from heaven) see themselves as sacred cows. I think they would rather see a game of rugby in their honour. What better time to hold a Bledisloe cup match?
ANZAC day is about both remembering the ANZAC’s sacrifice, and their descendants celebrating the freedom we have because of that sacrifice. If a Bledisloe ANZAC test was done in a tasteful way. I see no issue with it.
I don’t think rugby league deserved to host an ANZAC test as rugby league organisations encouraged their players not to go to WWI (Australia didn’t conscript for WWI).
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