Episode 17 with Billy Vunipola

Elim MPower

‘Discipleship For Busy Blokes podcast’ got a great opportunity recently to catch up briefly in conversation with Billy Vunipola, rugby player for Saracens and England.

Originally from Tonga, Billy and his family are now resident in England. He plays at Number 8 at the back of the scrum, and although he shares about notable games, tries scored and man of the match awards, he’s keen to stress how much it’s all about the team as a whole working together to gain victory.

He also shares about the special bond he has with his brother Mako, who is also in the same two teams, and how they sometimes chat in Tongan.

Billy describes the training and discipline needed to get match fit, and the importance of a balanced diet.

His parents always message Billy and Mako before their games to wish them all the best, and to encourage them to read Psalm 91.

Billy said that although he went to church with his parents all his life, he reports turning to Jesus after a feeling of emptiness and disappointment with trying some of the other things life had to offer.

He sees his ability with rugby as something God-given and a platform to reveal the glory of God, and he reports that his team-mates know about his faith.

Billy says his faith has been ‘a shoulder to cry on’ in tough times, but also an encouragement too, because the characters on the bible haven’t all been perfect nor have they had trouble-free lives. If we fail, we just need to pick ourselves up and move forward.

Rugby is similar to the church, in being made up of individuals from all different walks of life. We are to accept people as they are, we are not here to judge, and we are to come together to keep pressing towards being the best that we can be and to know Jesus better. And while there is there is space for individuals in a rugby team, there are also times when the individual has to give way to the team.

He is realistic about the occasional conflict between professional sport and faith. It’s about not stepping too far over the boundaries, but asking God forgiveness if you need, even though that is not permission to do the wrong thing.

With regard to navigating pain or disappointments, Billy reminds us that Job in the bible had things go wrong for him, even though he was blameless. Stuff can always go wrong, but God will always love us and forgive us.

Billy’s advice to a young person with a sporting talent is to keep on learning, and to keep listening to your coaches. And if there are failures or disappointments along the way, sometimes it’s because God has a big and better plan for you.

He closes in prayer for all the guys listening.

Thank you so much Billy, it was an honour that you would make the time for us. God bless!