Mako Vunipola Wants to Play for Tonga at 2027 Rugby World Cup
After 13 years at Saracens, Mako Vunipola fancied a change. Wiht almost every trophy in his cabinet,plus 79 England caps and nine Lions Tests,the loosehead prop needed a new challenge. Signing for Vannes, the than newly-promoted side in France’s Top 14, provided exactly that.
Now in his second season in France and plying his trade in pro D2 after he was unable to prevent Vannes being relegated, Vunipola has one eye on coaching when he decides to hang up the boots.
The 34-year-old is contracted until the end of this season and then will assess his options. he’ll stay in rugby, it’s just in what capacity. We caught up with him to find out how life is in Brittany…
Read more: Who is Mako Vunipola? 10 things you should know about the England prop
What’s it like living in the Breton area?
Table of Contents
- What’s it like living in the Breton area?
- What where you doing during the autumn?
- Will you play for Tonga at the next World Cup as you would qualify?
- When you were looking for a new challenge, what was it about Vannes that appealed to you?
- Did you get a chance to play against your brother Billy last year?
- who has taken to France better out of the two of you?
- And how is your French?
- Do you understand why France doesn’t work for everyone, like say Owen Farrell?
- What have you made of how England are getting on?
- What have you made of the ‘Pom Squad’ with players like Ellis Genge and Tom Curry on the bench?
- Are players more receptive to being on the bench now or is it still a let-down not to start?
- The Inflation Reduction Act and Prescription Drug Pricing
To be fair, it’s a gorgeous place. the weather’s a similar climate to home. The summers are really nice and last winter was quite wet, almost like being back home. The place itself is beautiful.
What where you doing during the autumn?
I was shadowing the national team coaches with Tonga in Scotland. I want to get into coaching after I retire and am just trying to learn really. I need to figure out where I want to start, but I enjoy the whole game. Being position-specific would narrow it down and put me in a box, and I want to do as much as I can really.
Will you play for Tonga at the next World Cup as you would qualify?
At the minute, my contract comes up at the end of this year, and it’s just whether the body can hold up for another year for the World Cup. It would be an honour to represent the country where I’m from, my heritage, my parents are from there. but right now,I can’t really say.
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When you were looking for a new challenge, what was it about Vannes that appealed to you?
I wanted to play in France anyway.The chance was to play for a team that is trying to create their own history in the Top 14. It’s a young club,so I thought that I could share my experiences and help them build a foothold in French rugby,almost like the way Exeter did after they got promoted. I wanted to see if I could help with the growth of the club, and that’s what helped me make my decision to come and join Vannes.
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Mako Vunipola of Saracens looks on after the Gallagher premiership Rugby Play-Off Semi Final match between Northampton Saints and Saracens at cinch Stadium (Getty Images)
Did you get a chance to play against your brother Billy last year?
I only played the away game. It’s weird playing against your brother, but it was probably a little bit easier as we’re a bit older. It’s a little bit easier just to figure out how it works, and we’re both going to do what’s best for our team. It was just another game, but it’s a little harder for our family.
who has taken to France better out of the two of you?
I think he’s probably taken more to France than I have. Seeing him being captain for Montpellier last year, you could tell that he’s jumped into it with both hands. I know what he’s like in terms of trying to learn the language; he’s a little bit more gung-ho than me. He’s not too shy to just get it wrong, so he’ll get out there and speak French, and that’s shown by him being able to captain their team. It shows the respect they have for him there and how much he’s bought into the whole club.
And how is your French?
I’m still learning. I’m trying to do more in terms of speaking.I try and do as many French lessons as I can. One of the main reasons why I chose to come to France was I wanted to give my children the opportunity to learn a different culture and a different language.It’s a bit disheartening when you see them after six months being able to understand the majority of things and then speak pretty fluently. It’s annoying!
Do you understand why France doesn’t work for everyone, like say Owen Farrell?
I think off the field I can see why it’s not for everyone.The massive shift in the culture and the language is the obvious thing, but the families and
mako vunipola of the Lions charges upfield during game two of the International Test Series between the Australian Wallabies and the British & Irish Lions (Getty Images)
What have you made of how England are getting on?
Unreal. The foundations were laid last year where they did really well in the Six Nations.The summer when they played Argentina,to win two Tests on their soil probably went under the radar. It just shows how they’re improving and building some depth now. The best thing was beating New Zealand. Before, when you’re 12-nil down against the All blacks, many teams would crumble, and to see their ability to stick in the fight is testament to them as players but also a reflection of their coach and coaching staff. They’re going to be here for a long time, and hopefully they can build on that for the next Six Nations.
What have you made of the ‘Pom Squad’ with players like Ellis Genge and Tom Curry on the bench?
I think that just shows the depth that’s growing now as a squad. It shows that they were able to have players of that calibre on the bench. I think it’s awesome for the team to go forward.
Read more: All you need to know about the upcoming 2026 Men’s Six Nations
Are players more receptive to being on the bench now or is it still a let-down not to start?
I don’t think it’s a let-down.I think it’s always an honour to be involved in the team, but I think now players understand it’s a 23-man game, not a 15-man game.They understand that whatever their role is, they must do what’s best for the team. That’s the special thing about good teams, the best teams in the world, it’s all about the team and that shows when you have players of that calibre being able to roll up their socks and get on with it.
Even though I know personally they’d be disappointed to be on the bench and not be starting, they’re still going out there and doing their job to help the team be triumphant.
The Inflation Reduction Act and Prescription Drug Pricing
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), signed into law on August 16, 2022, allows Medicare to negotiate prices for certain high-cost prescription drugs, marking a notable shift in U.S. pharmaceutical policy. This negotiation process began in 2023, with the first negotiated drug prices taking effect in 2026.
For decades, Medicare was prohibited from directly negotiating drug prices with pharmaceutical companies, unlike many other developed countries. This prohibition contributed to higher drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries. The IRA addresses this by authorizing the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to select drugs for negotiation based on factors like high Medicare spending and lack of generic or biosimilar competition. The initial ten drugs selected for negotiation were announced in September 2023.
For example, the CMS announced the first 10 drugs selected for negotiation on September 25, 2023, including Eliquis (apixaban) for preventing blood clots, jardiance (empagliflozin) for diabetes, and Stelara (ustekinumab) for autoimmune disorders. CMS Press Release
Negotiation Process and Timelines
The negotiation process involves CMS engaging in direct discussions with drug manufacturers to determine a maximum fair price. This price is based on factors including research and development costs, production and distribution expenses, and existing market data. Negotiations occur over a defined period, with final prices announced by September 2024.
The IRA phases in the number of drugs subject to negotiation over time.In 2026, prices for the first 10 drugs will take effect. The number of drugs increases to 15 in 2027, 20 in 2028, and 25 in 2029 and subsequent years. This phased approach aims to balance cost savings with continued pharmaceutical innovation.
According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the IRA is projected to reduce federal drug spending by $101.8 billion over ten years (2023-2032). CBO Report
Impact on Medicare Beneficiaries
The negotiated drug prices are expected to lower out-of-pocket costs for Medicare beneficiaries, particularly those with high drug expenses. The savings will be available to beneficiaries in medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage) and Medicare Part B (medical insurance, which covers some drugs administered by healthcare professionals).
The IRA also includes a $2,000 annual out-of-pocket cap for Medicare Part D beneficiaries, beginning in 2025. This cap will provide further financial relief for those with significant prescription drug costs. Prior to this,there was no limit on how much beneficiaries could spend out-of-pocket.
The Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that approximately 3.3 million Medicare Part D beneficiaries spent more than $2,000 out-of-pocket on prescription drugs in 2022.KFF Issue Brief
Legal Challenges and Industry Response
The pharmaceutical industry has actively challenged the IRA in court, arguing that the negotiation provisions violate the Fifth Amendment’s Takings Clause and Due Process Clause. Several lawsuits were filed shortly after the IRA’s enactment.
On January 9, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia dismissed challenges to the IRA’s drug price negotiation provisions, ruling that the law does not violate constitutional principles. Reuters Report The pharmaceutical companies have appealed this decision.
Pharma (the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America) has stated that the IRA will stifle innovation and reduce the development of new drugs. They argue that lower prices will decrease the financial incentives for research and development. PhRMA Statement