Manu Tuilagi Explains Himself

So Manu Tuilagi has broken his silence and given his reasons for jumping off a ferry as it came in to dock.

"It was a nice day, I was sore after the game and I thought it would be good for recovery.

"I was on the ferry with all the Leicester lads in the team and, when I mentioned doing it [jumping] to them, they said I was all talk and I wouldn't follow it through. Then I had to prove them wrong."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/15326677.stm

He should have kept his mouth shut!

Pillock!

Why come out with this? Stupid boy

Legend

If brains were brakes he'd be rolling down the hill...

Oh dear...

I guess I did far worse when I was 19 to big myself up to my mates.

He'll grow up.

Is it really any worse than a plank and a golf buggy or a drunk wanting a big mac?

HERSH wrote:Is it really any worse than a plank and a golf buggy or a drunk wanting a big mac?

God no, we've all been there

he's made himself look even more of a knob.

It's a shame because he will be world class come 2015...

Whay, everyone is very stern in their judgement. Can no one see the funny side?

Probably as its the icing on the cake for the PR disaster that was Englands world cup, but as a single incident its not really that bad.

Basically a guy jumped off a boat for a bit of a swim, I bet there was really no danger to anyone. Media blow everyone's comments and facts out of proportions remember. People are treating this incident as if he stole a boat and took it for a joy ride and then crashed it into the pier.

Our are lives all really that boring that we dont see the funny side? Or at least why he did it?
I have done tons of far more stupid stuff than this in my days, but im lucky enough not to have a cameraman waiting to catch me.

I think the only story about England I dont like is the insulting the hotel worker one. Tindallgate was just stupid,, rugby players go out for a drink thats it. They didnt smash the bar up or insult anyone, just had a hard earn laugh with the fellas. Oh some blonde was kissed him on the head? Does anyone know the context? No, so its not a story. If he was caught leading her into a hotel room, thats a story.

Plonker - however we have all been there and done that at some stage so can't be too harsh on him. The danger of the stunt is prob the worst thing about it.

Im glad the Welsh did all their stupid drunken antics before the tournament

lol- one of the lads- nice one manu. Its what legends are made of guys, if he was one of your mates you would love him for it- so dont be hypocritical

On its own Manu's ferry jump is nothing really, but after all that had come before it I think it was a case of, "Oh Christ, not something else!".

I think he's a cracking player and a good lad though.

Dont see what the problem is really. He is a young lad just letting off some steam and having a laugh. Its hardly a scandal

Nice selective quoting there as well. Did anyone read the full article?

"It was a nice day, I was sore after the game and I thought it would be good for recovery.

"It was such a stupid thing to do."

And later:

"I was on the ferry with all the Leicester lads in the team and, when I mentioned doing it [jumping] to them, they said I was all talk and I wouldn't follow it through. Then I had to prove them wrong.

"I'm not blaming anyone but myself.

"First it was Martin Johnson. Obviously, he wasn't happy. He hit me with a £3,000 fine, we issued a brief statement and, from an England point of view, it was sorted.

"I was a bit worried about his reaction but I was a lot more worried about my family, especially my mum.

"Freddie [his eldest brother] found out and phoned me. I refused to answer at first because I knew what was coming.

"In the end I knew I had to face up to it. He was furious.

"The worst moment was dealing with my mum. She wasn't at all happy and she didn't even know the whole story at first.

"When I got back to Leicester, Richard Cockerill [the Tigers's director of rugby] got hold of me and had a go as well. He told me I had let myself, the club and the club's fans down - and he is right.

"In fact, I've let down my family, I've let down Martin Johnson and I've let down the people of England."

So he readily admits that it was a stupid thing to do, that he's only got himself to blame and accepts that he's let a lot of people down. Wouldn't have got that just from the original post though.

Recovery excuse was a bit lame mind - should have just stuck to the having beers with the boys!!

Funny bit about his mum!!!