Billy Vunipola has talked about how going to a tackling school recently helped him improve his rugby game. He got a red card on August 19 for hitting Ireland’s Andrew Porter with his shoulder in Dublin.
The hearing decided to give Billy Vunipola a three-game suspension, but they could reduce it to two games if he completed a program called tackle school. This program helps players who get red cards for dangerous tackles.
Billy Vunipola finished the program, so he was allowed to play in the game against Japan last weekend. He came in as a substitute for the last 29 minutes of that match. He has been picked to start as the No8 against Chile in Lille this Saturday.
At the media briefing the night before the game, he was asked to reflect on what he had learned from tackle school and the intervention program.
“When I went through it, Kev (Sinfield) is very experienced in leading those tackle schools. It might seem like a simple thing, but for me, it was a good learning experience. It helped me improve my tackling technique, and he was very good at teaching it.
“When you go through it, they record it on video. I learned a lot about using my arms, and the most important thing was getting lower in my tackles. I am a big guy, and I usually rely on my size to stop opponents, but this program helped me focus on getting into the right position with better technique. Hopefully, you will not see me making high tackles anymore.
“There was not much frustration. I had to serve a sentence for a crime I committed. I just wanted to stay calm and help the team. I wanted to get through it and help the team in a different way. If you find yourself contributing to something, try to embrace it.
“The worst part about not playing is having to stay healthy! The game means a lot to me. The more you play, the better you become as a player. This is a fact known to me personally and to my former coaches. Hopefully, I can go out there and play really well, but I won’t know until I get there. ”
Vunipola becomes the second of three England players to receive a red card in the last four matches. Owen Farrell is returning to the England squad this weekend after serving a four-match suspension for receiving a red card against Wales in August, but he did not have the opportunity to attend tackle school at the time and is a former first-year player from last year. Despite having taken part in free training in May, he was available for selection against Scotland at that time.
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Defense Coach Sinfield also Comments on the Match against Samoa
Meanwhile, Tom Curry is fresh out of tackle school after receiving a red card against Argentina at the World Cup, and his three-match suspension has been reduced to two, meaning he will be in the pool final in Lille on October 7th.
He will be called up for the match against Samoa. Defense coach Sinfield also commented on the incident. “Most days, we practice tackle school on short blocks. We are very smart about risk and security and how we apply it. Tackle school has a more specific character. Billy was excellent at his job. Tom Curry is also complete.
“As Billy said, we have had some games before, but they’re human too, and when you’re in such intense competition, unfortunately, players are going to make mistakes. ” We must try to help, educate and collaborate with them.
“We see this in professional games, but it is in grassroots rugby where we really need to focus and teach people the proper way to tackle. We also need to remember that mistakes happen sometimes.”
