Warren Gatland didn't hold back in brutally honest remark to Mako Vunipola
Warren Gatland's harsh dose of reality proved to be exactly what Mako Vunipola needed during the 2021 British and Irish Lions tour. The Saracens stalwart, who now plies his trade with French outfit Vannes, endured a torrid period leading up to that summer's expedition to South Africa.
Saracens' relegation had left him battling in England's second division, while an achilles problem sidelined him from the opening round of that year's Six Nations championship. These setbacks meant the prop arrived for Lions duty lacking peak fitness.
Gatland wasn't impressed with Vunipola's physical condition when he joined up with the squad ahead of their South African adventure. He wasted little time in delivering the sort of home truths that galvanise elite athletes.
Despite his questionable preparation, Vunipola played a pivotal part in the Lions' thrilling 22-17 triumph over South Africa in the opening Test. His scrummaging impact after entering the fray as a substitute in Cape Town became a defining moment for the entire series.
Following that victory, Gatland disclosed the frank exchange he'd had with the now 34-year-old, who called time on his international career in January 2024, prior to facing the Springboks. Gatland said: "We have been really pleased with Mako.
"And I was really honest with him and just said, 'Mate, I didn't feel when you came into the squad that your fitness levels are as good as they should be for international rugby.'
"He agreed with me and we have changed a bit of his scrummaging technique and him coming off the bench at the moment - he has made a huge impact. He has scrummaged exceptionally well, carries great, is a great defender and we will see what happens over the next few days."
Vunipola may not have been present at the Lions' initial training camp in Jersey, but he certainly wasn't slacking, putting in the graft behind the scenes. Following Gatland's candid remarks, Vunipola shed some light on the efforts he had made to ramp up his fitness levels.
He said: "Fitness is something I've always had to try and keep on top of since I started, really. It was obviously a step up, coming into the Lions camp having not been in for the first week of Jersey.
"I knew that condition-wise I was in good hands with the strength and conditioning staff and the medical staff to get me to a place where I'm able to help the team. It's one of those things where there are no shortcuts, it's just hard work, extras off the field with the team around me."
His sterling performance in the first test earned him a spot in the starting line-up for the second, where South Africa triumphed with a solid 27-9 scoreline. Vunipola was left out of the XV for the third test, but, much like the first, he came on as a substitute and aided the Lions in clinching a 19-16 victory.
He wrapped up the tour with nine back-to-back test match appearances, marking his final stint with the Lions. In January 2024, Vunipola bid farewell to international test rugby, hanging up his boots with 79 caps for England under his belt.
Throughout his illustrious career, the Kiwi-born star clinched the 2016 Six Nations Grand Slam and was part of the team that made it to the 2019 Rugby World Cup final.
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