It was a technical failure that almost seemed symbolic. While Manu Tuilagi was giving his final response, in what could well be his last press conference, someone from the French stage crew accidentally pressed the button to lower the curtain.
“I think that’s the sign for us,” Tuilagi said, with his toothy smile, after dodging questions about a move abroad next season. He sat next to scrum coach Tom Harrison, but media interest focused on whether he would be 60 and out for England’s wrecking ball. It certainly seems that way.
Jamie George asked the 32-year-old to address the team at Friday night’s team meeting, sharing all his experiences since making his Test debut in 2011. A moment to reflect. “I remember when I first walked in and Jonny Wilkinson stood up and shook my hand,” Tuilagi recalled. ‘He said, ‘Nice to meet you, Manu’ and I said… “Okay!” It was incredible.
‘I remember I was the youngest there and I shit myself. Come in and meet all the players you’ve seen on TV, the players you admire. I was surprised to be in the same room. And for me, being on this team, being in the same room as these guys, I still feel the same way.”
He laughed as he answered questions about the past. Do you remember jumping off the ferry at Auckland Harbor in 2011? ‘That was fun! Life is fun, if you want it to be. She spoke of his role in the famous victory over the All Blacks the following year, when most of the current team were still schoolboys.
Manu Tuilagi wanted to avoid talking about his future before what could be his last game with England
The 32-year-old could move abroad next season and draw the curtain on his international career.
But when questioning came to his plans for next season, Tuilagi kept his cards close to his chest. “I don’t really know what I’ll do tomorrow,” said the veteran, who will be excluded from the Sale Sharks squad this summer due to the salary cap.
He will be on the England bench this weekend, playing a supporting role to long-term successor Ollie Lawrence, in what will be Tuilagi’s first England appearance since the World Cup.
He missed the first rounds due to a groin tear. Another campaign, another injury. His career has been ruined by them and he has become accustomed to playing through the pain barrier.
In a career ruined by injuries, Tuilagi has become accustomed to playing through the pain barrier.
He offered what seemed like parting advice, telling the next generation to “enjoy it.”
“As a rugby player, if you can play, you will,” he said. ‘There are no two ways to do it. After the (World Cup) game against Samoa, I found out that he had a broken hand. I said to the doctor who did the x-ray, “Can I play with this?” He said, “It’s up to you.” I said, “Great, regards, thank you.” So that was it. It’s just pain. That’s what I tell my children. It’s just pain. That’s why now, even when they cry, I tell them: “What’s wrong?” and they answer: “It’s just pain!”
Regardless of injuries, Tuilagi will go down as one of the best English players of his generation. However, to sign him a contract for next season, it may now be time to hand over the heavyweight mantle to him. And he offered advice for the next generation as he brought down the curtain: ‘I always say enjoy it, enjoy being around the people you have. You can always learn from them, help each other. You never know when it will be the last time with those people.
