Saracens win Aviva Premiership with Vunipola Brothers [1]
Sunday, May 29, 2016 - 19:28. Updated on Sunday, June 12, 2016 - 19:48.
The "rampaging" Vunipola brothers helped their club, the London Saracens, to win the 2015-16 Aviva Premiership defeating the Exeter Chiefs by 28 points to 20 in the Premiership final yesterday.
Tongan players in the Aviva final included Billy and Mako Vunipola for the Saracens, and ‘Ikale Tahi hooker Elvis Taione for the Exeter Chiefs (reserve). The win makes the Saracens the first side to complete a European and Premiership double in 12 years.
The final was a milestone for Mako Vunipola (25) as it was his 100th appearance for the Saracens. The UK's Evening Standard noted the personal milestone for Mako, adding "Vunipola was key to the team winning the European Champions cup against French club Racing 92 Lyons two weeks ago. Finding that difficult balance between rampaging ball carrying and handling the physical demands at scrum, lineout and ruck."
Meanwhile, The Guardian reported that in yesterday's Premiership final Billy Vunipola was on a mission. "Maybe it is just that, when you have a 20 stone bloke who can bring it to the opposition with some punch, you keep using him. And even when Vunipola Jr was not smashing at Exeter's guts, his brother was..."
Maka'afi
Earlier this week, May 25, the Doncaster Knights defeated Bristol by 34 points to 32 in the second leg of the RFU final. Bristol RFC were declared champions regardless of the defeat as they had won the first leg by a larger margin 28 - 13.
‘Ikale Tahi Latu Maka’afi played as a starting flanker for Doncaster. He is ranked the second highest try scorer in 2015-16 RFU Championship, having scored 18 tries in 25 games.