Mako is Lions No.1 now insists Corbisiero
DOUBTS over Mako Vunipola’s scrummaging ability have been laid to rest according to former England colleague Alex Corbisiero, who describes the Saracens destroyer as comfortably the best loosehead in world rugby.
Vunipola, who has 39 England caps, has started the last seven internationals under Eddie Jones and, injury permitting, is a certainty for a second tour with the Lions after featuring in all three Tests against Australia in 2013.
Question marks have been raised over Vunipola’s scrum technique, but exLions star Corbsiero told
The Rugby Paper: “I find that hard to believe because if you watch that Saracens pack and what they’ve done to sides like Toulon, Racing 92 and every team in the Premiership, there can surely be no doubts about his scrummaging.
“In international rugby, because of the laws, it’s very hard to dominate people the way everyone wants England to do, but Mako has been fantastic this autumn.
“His scrummaging is ever-improving and even this season he’s made big gains. Maybe there’s another ten per cent you can squeeze out of him but he’s got Neal Hatley working with him with England and he’s at Saracens, two of the best environments for attention to detail and adding the layers needed to become world-class.
“Mako’s detail at scrumtime is very good. Occasionally he would slip a bind but he’s fixed that with Hatley and he gets in, keeps his sync, keeps his feet in the right place, is aggressive and, importantly, backs it up week-in, week-out.
“If you add everything he does around the field – his turnovers, carries, work-rate and passing – he’s the complete player now and I’d say Mako’s comfortably the best loosehead in the world.
“I like Ireland’s Jack McGrath and you can never rule out Cian Healy or Joe Marler, but Mako, without question, is No.1 for the Lions.”
Corbisiero, who has been helping coach England’s U20s while developing his burgeoning media career as a pundit with NBC Sports in America, has been equally impressed with Jonathan Joseph’s emergence as a world-class No.13.
He said: “I’ve seen Jonathan since he was a 15year-old at London Irish and he’s a special talent. Some of the tries he’s scored out of nothing for England have been gamechangers and you’re seeing a player completely maturing now.
“His defence is rock solid, his attacking and footwork have always been fantastic and there are many more layers to his game now.
“He’s organising more in attack, is moving the ball well and his passing is amazing; he’s elevated everything in his game to become more of an all-round player so he’s got to be on that Lions tour, potentially partnering Owen Farrell.” Cobisiero explained: “Owen Farrell at No.12 has been a revelation for England. Initially when Eddie Jones picked him there you weren’t 100 per cent sure, but he’s delivered worldclass performances and he’d be my 12 for the Lions.”
Corbisiero, whose NBC podcast, The Scrum Down, attracts 10,000 listeners, seems likely to call time on his playing career but may well explore coaching options after spending last week with the U20s.
He said: “It’s been a great opportunity and working with a really talented group has given me a bit more insight into what goes on.
“I’m happy with my TV work and it’s great to be at the forefront of trying to grow rugby in a new market in America, but I’m not quite ready to slam the book shut on playing and I might look to continue in America next summer. If it comes to the point where I can continue with my media and mentoring work long-term, that will probably be it.”