Manu Vunipola (rugby union, born 2000)
{{short description|NZ rugby union player}}
{{For|his uncle|Manu Vunipola (rugby union, born 1967)}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = Manu Vunipola
| image =
| birth_name = Christian Fainga Manu Mapu' Aho Ta Aki-M Vunipola{{cite web| url= http://en.espn.co.uk/england/rugby/player/301431.html| title= Manu Vunipola| publisher=ESPNscrum| access-date=28 February 2020}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|2000|5|4}}
| birth_place = Auckland, New Zealand
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height = {{convert|1.80|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|92|kg|stlb lb|0|abbr=on}}
| school = Harrow School
| university =
| relatives =
| position = Fly-half
| currentclub = Mie Honda Heat
| years1 = 2018–2024
| clubs1 = Saracens
| apps1 = 52
| points1 = 230
| years2 = 2024–
| clubs2 = Mie Honda Heat
| apps2 = 0
| points2 = 0
| clubupdate = 29 November 2024
| repyears1 =
| repteam1 =
| repcaps1 =
| reppoints1 =
| repupdate =
}}
Manu Vunipola (born 4 May 2000) is a rugby union fly-half for Mie Honda Heat in Japan League One competition. Born in New Zealand, he has represented England under-18s and England under-20s.
Personal life
Vunipola was born in Auckland, New Zealand, and grew up in Somerset, England.{{cite news| url=https://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/features/32281/young-gun-saracens-fly-half-manu-vunipola/| title= Young Gun: Saracens fly-half Manu Vunipola's cousins aren't his only influences| work=The Rugby Paper| date=19 March 2019| access-date=28 February 2020}} He is the son of former Tongan international Elisi Vunipola,{{cite web| url= https://www.world.rugby/u20/news/425040?lang=en| title= U20 Championship 2019: Pool B preview| publisher=World Rugby|access-date=28 February 2020}} and the cousin of Saracens teammates Billy and Mako Vunipola.{{cite news| url= https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/champions-cup/saracens-survive-sending-off-to-keep-quarter-final-hopes-alive-38853746.html| title= Saracens survive sending off to keep quarter-final hopes alive| work=Irish Independent| date=12 January 2020| access-date=28 February 2020}}{{cite web| url= https://www.ruck.co.uk/third-vunipola-england-18s-name-2018-squad/| title= A third Vunipola? England Under 18s name 2018 squad| publisher=Ruck.co.uk| date=2018| access-date=28 February 2020}}{{cite news| url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2020/02/15/manu-vunipola-inspires-saracens-bonus-point-victory-sale/| title= Manu Vunipola inspires Saracens to bonus point victory over Sale| last=Hathaway| first=Adam| work=The Daily Telegraph| url-access=subscription| date=15 February 2020| access-date=28 February 2020}} He attended The King Alfred School, Highbridge.{{cite news| url= https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/rugby/new-breed-vunipola-saracens-run-manu-prepares-debut-a4049166.html| title= New breed of Vunipola set for Saracens run as Manu prepares for debut| last=Collings| first=Simon| work=Evening Standard| date=25 January 2019| access-date= 8 March 2020}} As a junior, he played for Burnham RFC, and captained the Harrow School rugby team.{{cite web| url= https://www.saracens.com/squads/manu-vunipola/| title=Manu Vunipola| publisher=Saracens|access-date=28 February 2020}}
Career
=Club career=
In 2017, Vunipola played for Saracens under-18s in the Aviva Premiership under-18s finals day.{{cite news| url= https://www.thetimes.com/sport/rugby-union/article/meet-manu-the-latest-vunipola-to-catch-the-eye-hrsjk3wf6| title= Meet Manu, the latest Vunipola to catch the eye| last=Lowe| first=Alex|work=The Times| url-access=subscription| date=17 February 2017| access-date=8 March 2020}} Vunipola then played for Saracens Storm, the A team of Saracens, and also played on loan for Bishop's Stortford. Vunipola made his Saracens debut in January 2019, in a 2018–19 Premiership Rugby Cup match against Harlequins.{{cite web| url= https://www.englandrugby.com/england/mens-development/u20s-squad/manu-vunipola| title= Manu Vunipola| publisher=England Rugby| access-date=28 February 2020}} He made his Premiership Rugby debut in a 2018–19 match against Exeter Chiefs, and later made his first Premiership Rugby start in a match against Worcester Warriors.
In September 2019, Vunipola scored his first try for Saracens in a 2019–20 Premiership Rugby match against Wasps.{{cite news| url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/49782275| title= Premiership Cup: Manu Vunipola scores first try as top flight rugby union season begins| work=BBC Sport| date=21 September 2019| access-date=28 February 2020}} In January 2020, Vunipola scored 17 points in a 2019–20 European Rugby Champions Cup pool stage match, as Saracens beat Ospreys 22–15. In the same month, referee Luke Pearce appointed Vunipola as Saracens captain, after Pearce decided he did not want to speak with Jackson Wray during a match against Harlequins.{{cite news| url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2020/01/31/manu-vunipola-interview-meatballs-saracens-softer-side-owen/| title= Manu Vunipola interview: Meatballs, Saracens and the softer side of Owen Farrell| last=Morgan| first=Charlie| work=The Daily Telegraph| url-access=subscription| date=31 January 2020| access-date=28 February 2020}} In a February 2020 Premiership Rugby match against Sale, Vunipola scored 17 points and won a man of the match award.
He has re-signed with Saracens until at least the 2022–23 season.{{Cite web|date=2020-07-08|title=Manu Vunipola re-signs until 2023|url=https://www.saracens.com/manu-vunipola-re-signs-until-2023/|access-date=2020-07-08|website=Saracens|language=en-GB}}
On 28 January 2024, it was confirmed that Manu left Saracens to move to Japan to sign for Mie Honda Heat in their domestic League One competition from the 2024–25 season.{{Cite news|url=https://www.honda-heat.jp/member/2024/93/|publisher=Honda Heat.jp|title=Manu Vunipola Player Profile|date=28 January 2024|access-date=29 November 2024|language=ja}}
=International career=
In 2018, Vunipola was called up to the England under-18s team. In total, he made four appearances for the team. Vunipola made his first start for England under-20s in their final match of the 2019 Six Nations Under 20s Championship against Scotland under-20s.{{cite web| url= https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/report/england-under-20s-finish-on-a-high-with-scotland-win/#report| title= ENGLAND UNDER-20S FINISH ON A HIGH WITH SCOTLAND WIN| publisher=Six Nations Rugby| date=15 March 2019| access-date=28 February 2020}}{{cite web| url=https://www.ruck.co.uk/the-third-vunipola-makes-his-england-u20-debut-on-friday/| title=The third Vunipola makes his first England U20 start on Friday| publisher=Ruck.co.uk| date=2018| access-date=28 February 2020}} He had made two previous substitute appearances in the tournament. He was selected for the 2019 World Rugby Under 20 Championship in Argentina, and also for the 2020 Six Nations Under 20s Championship.{{cite web| url= https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/2020/01/03/dickens-names-england-squad-for-under-20s-six-nations/| title= DICKENS NAMES ENGLAND SQUAD FOR UNDER-20S SIX NATIONS| publisher=Six Nations Rugby| date=3 January 2020| access-date=28 February 2020}} He played in the Six Nations match against France under-20s in Grenoble,{{cite news| url=https://www.hamhigh.co.uk/sport/rugby/saracens-trio-in-england-u20-squad-for-six-nations-opener-1-6491103| title= Saracens trio in England U20 squad to face France| work=Hampstead & Highgate Express| date=30 January 2020|access-date=28 February 2020}} but missed the match against Ireland under-20s after returning to Tonga for personal reasons.{{cite news| url= https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/international/ireland-expecting-very-abrasive-english-challenge-at-franklin-s-gardens-1.4179984| title= Ireland expecting 'very abrasive' English challenge at Franklin's Gardens| last=Watterson| first=Jonny| work=The Irish Times| date=21 February 2020| access-date=8 March 2020}} As of February 2020, he has made nine appearances for England under-20s.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.saracens.com/squads/manu-vunipola/ Saracens profile]
{{Saracens F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vunipola, Manu}}
Category:English people of Tongan descent
Category:English rugby union players
Category:New Zealand emigrants to England
Category:New Zealand sportspeople of Tongan descent
Category:New Zealand rugby union players
Category:Rugby union fly-halves
Category:Rugby union players from Auckland
Category:Saracens F.C. players
Category:Rugby union players from Somerset