Billy Vunipola explains decision not to kneel in support of Black Lives Matter movement
Billy Vunipola says he declined to take a knee in support of Black Lives Matter last weekend because of his opposition to elements of the movement's protests.
Vunipola, the England No 8 of Tongan heritage, remained standing before Saracens’ Gallagher Premiership defeat at Bristol on Saturday while his elder brother Mako knelt.
Vunipola’s Samoa-born England team-mate Manu Tuilagi also opted against taking a knee, as did the majority of South African players involved in round 14.
“A similar situation happened with the Black Lives Matter movement last week when we were asked if we want to take a knee or not,” Vunipola told The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast.
“What I saw in terms of that movement was not aligned with what I believe in. They were burning churches and Bibles. I can’t support that.
“Even though I am a person of colour, I’m still more a person of, I guess, Jesus.”
Source, photo: Skysports.com
