Maunder family offers a tasty sideline in scrum-halves
Sam follows brother Jack and father Andrew into the Exeter side, reports Daniel Schofield
There has been a butchery business in the Maunder family since 1898 but, along with sausages and bacon baps, they do a roaring trade in scrum-halves. John Sitters started the No9 tradition, representing Plymouth and Devon before the Second World War intervened. Then came Andrew Maunder, current owner of Lloyd Maunder Butcher’s in Exeter city centre, who played for and captained Exeter during the 1980s and 1990s, making 149 league appearances. That tally increases past the 300-mark once “friendlies” against the likes of Llanelli and South Wales Police are included.
Today, the flame is carried by brothers Jack and Sam Maunder. Two weeks ago, 18-year-old Sam came off the bench to replace Jack and make his league debut in the 35-18 victory against Sale Sharks. In doing so, he became – somewhat horrifyingly – the first player born after 2000 to play in the Gallagher Premiership.
Understandably, it was an emotional occasion. In attendance at Sandy Park were assorted Maunder grandparents, cousins, uncles, godparents, friends and even a few loyal customers from the butcher’s. “We had never done anything like that before,” Sam said. “We had played in a school cricket match, but we had never played an actual rugby game together, which is very cool especially because it was in the Premiership and it was for the club we have both grown up supporting. With so many family there, it was a really special day.”
And the extended clan got the moment they were waiting for when 21-year-old Jack, starting his first Premiership game in nearly 18 months, scored a try in the 49th minute and immediately jumped into the arms of Sam, who had been warming up behind the in-goal area.
“It was the first time I had played in a very long time but I didn’t want to look petrified in front of Sam,” Jack said. “I was pretending to be cool in front of Sam, but inside I was dying of nerves. I can’t really remember saying anything to him other than good luck. I was so tired. I was looking for him to come on from about 60 minutes.”
It is hard to ignore the role that genetics has played, particularly when you learn that two of their cousins are also scrum halves. “I think it is down to our size and that we are not quick enough to play on the wing,” Jack said. Andrew also confirms that they all possess a half-back’s natural gobbiness.
On the nurture side of the debate, one can look at the set of goalposts that Andrew purchased for his boys to practise behind their house and the endless two-on-one and passing drills he made them perform. “If your pass was not in the breadbasket or if you didn’t follow through properly then dad would just leave the ball and make you get it,” Sam said. “It was so frustrating.”
Clearly, all those hours paid off, with Jack and Sam now wearing the same shirt that their father once filled. Their surroundings, however, are very different, with Exeter moving from the County Ground and the lower reaches of the league pyramid to Sandy Park and the summit of the English game. “I haven’t seen either of them wear a punch or produce a good dive pass,” Andrew says with mock disgust. Yet despite all the changes that professionalism has ushered in, Andrew recognises the same diverse group of characters with whom he shared a changing room. “Having met a lot of the guys Jack and Sam play with, the players really have not changed,” Andrew said. “When I talk to them, it feels the same as talking to people I played with. Rob Baxter is from the same generation and the people they attract here are down to earth, not money orientated and prepared to work hard. That, to me, is a big joy of them coming here, not that it is my old team but that Exeter are a proper old-school club. That is so important.”
Although no longer required to hold down an alternative trade as their father did, both Sam and Jack have enrolled at Exeter University. Sam has just started a geography degree while Jack is 18 months into a business management course. It is noticeable that when asked about their long-term goals, both state completing their degrees before mentioning any rugby ambitions. Jack already has eyes on taking over his father’s trade, although Sam is quick to point out that “shotgun” rules do not apply to inheriting the family business.
As for rugby, Sam is happy to bide his time in the A League and the British Universities and Colleges League with Exeter University while Jack is keen to make up for lost time. After winning the Premiership and then making his England debut on the tour to Argentina in 2016, Jack effectively lost last season to injury.
Will there come a point where their ambitions – apart from running the butcher’s – become mutually exclusive to the point of breeding resentment? The answer from all three Maunders is a resounding no. “It would be stupid and detrimental of us to start competing against each other like that,” Jack said. “I am immensely proud of Sam being a professional rugby player and I am sure he feels the same about me. We always thought playing together might happen one day, but never thought it would come this soon. Hopefully we can keep making more great memories as we get older.”