When Ireland claimed the narrowest of wins against Argentina last weekend, they did so without one of their main men of the past few years. Centre Bundee Aki wasn’t injured: he was simply left out of the squad following his performance against New Zealand.
Well, here against Fiji on Saturday afternoon was a man with a point to prove. One try, seventeen carries for 176 metres, six defenders beaten and seven tackles tell their own story; that this was the response his head coach, Andy Farrell, wanted from his 34-year-old leader. A Player of the Match performance, no less.
After the match, which Ireland won 52-17, Aki spoke to TNT Sports and commented on his omission: “You learn from your mistakes and the good thing about it is that you turn the page, you learn what you need to learn, and if you get the opportunity again to be able to put the jersey on you’re going to make sure you’re on top of it.”
And on top of it Aki was, helping his team cruise to a controlled victory in their penultimate match of this November campaign.
Born in New Zealand, the Connacht star has become a talismanic figure for Ireland, embodying their never-say-die spirit and physical dominance in the midfield.
Aki has been instrumental in Ireland's rise to rugby supremacy. Known for his barnstorming runs, defensive solidity, and relentless work ethic, he has been pivotal in Ireland’s recent Guinness Men's Six Nations triumphs, including the 2023 Grand Slam and this year's Championship title.
Aki’s journey to Irish stardom began when he moved to Connacht in 2014, following a Super Rugby-winning season with the Chiefs. Seen as a coup for the provincial side, his arrival sparked a cultural shift in Galway, culminating in their historic 2016 Pro12 title (a campaign in which he was named Players’ Player of the Season). His loyalty to the province – despite lucrative offers abroad –earned him the respect of Irish fans, cementing his status as one of the nation’s adopted heroes. He has often expressed his gratitude to Connacht and Ireland, referencing the warm reception he received when he qualified to wear the green jersey through residency in 2017.
Since his Ireland debut, Aki has played a central role in some of the team’s most significant moments, from their seismic victories over New Zealand to their historic series win in New Zealand in 2022. His ability to combine brute strength with a deft offload has made him indispensable, but it’s his attitude that sets him apart.
Aki’s omission from the starting XV against New Zealand – a game Ireland lost – was a decision that raised eyebrows, particularly given his form throughout the year. But his response to the setback was emphatic, demonstrating why he remains a cornerstone of Andy Farrell’s plans (not least with a British and Irish Lions tour to come, which if selected would be Aki’s second after 2021).
