All Blacks: Mako Vunipola opens up on 'grabbing' Owen Franks' testicles

Top marks to Mako Vunipola for honesty. Turns out the big England and Lions prop did indeed grab Owen Franks by the testicles in the first test.

Wasn't deliberate mind. Vunipola was falling in one scrum and on his descent he did what any sensible prop would do and clutched at whatever he could find.

It just so happened it was the most sensitive part of Franks. "They're very supportive, to be fair," the New Zealand-born joked.

"I was just trying to keep my bind up, obviously. We talk about always, as a front row, giving good pictures to the referee and either I bind there or I drop my arm [and] it's a penalty to them. So I'd rather grab them than grab nothing, really."

Franks, with true front-rower stoicism, had not mentioned the incident to All Blacks management. If it bothered him, he didn't let on.

Being a hard core legend of the front-row Franks knows the code of honour is to say nothing: to keep what happens on the field between the players.

Vunipola will be more interested in winning the respect of Franks this week having struggled at scrum time at Eden Park. Rated as one of the most promising props in Europe, Vunipola didn't deliver all that he wanted in the set piece and is determined to be part of a pack that does so in Wellington.

The extra incentive for Vunipola, whose father played for Tonga, is that having been born in New Zealand, he grew up idolising the All Blacks.

"When I was growing up I admit I used to watch the All Blacks and be in love with them. Mostly because of Jonah Lomu. Obviously with him being of Tongan heritage, I always wanted to be like him.

"Being born in Wellington as well, I've got a lot of family here and this is actually the first time I've been back since I left as a child."