Tag Archives: bundee aki

Seán McMahon reporting from Chiba.  Rhys Ruddock has said that the Irish players are proud of how Bundee Aki has responded to criticism surrounding his eligibility for the Ireland team.  Former Ireland international Luke Fitzgerald criticised the potential inclusion of Aki ahead of Garry Ringrose on his podcast recently. “He shouldn’t be in that team,” Fitzgerald said. “The guy is …

Chris Farrell has leapt to the defence of Ireland’s project players in the build-up to the Rugby World Cup in Japan. Jean Kleyn made headlines around the world when he was selected for Joe Schmidt’s 31-man squad in place of long-serving lock Devin Toner. Kleyn became eligible to represent Ireland just two days before making his debut against Italy in …

Bundee Aki has issued an apology to anyone he may have offended due to ‘liking’ Israel Folau’s controversial social media post whereby he outlined that hell awaits gay people.  Folau’s views have led to a code of conduct hearing with Rugby Australia taking place on May 4 and the outcome could see the 30-year-old’s contract with the governing body revoked. …

Robbie Henshaw and Devin Toner return to the Leinster starting XV for tomorrow’s visit of Glasgow Warriors to the RDS Arena. Both Ireland internationals have been on the sidelines now since February but are expected to get valuable minutes under their belts in this weekend’s penultimate round of the Guinness PRO 14. Toner returns from ankle surgery to take his …

Bundee Aki has been named in the starting lineup for Connacht’s Challenge Cup quarter-final clash with Gallagher Premiership side the Sale Sharks at the AJ Bell Stadium on Friday evening.  Aki will make his first start for the western province since before Six Nations where he played in every game for Joe Schmidt’s side. Both Connacht and Sale have already …

Bundee Aki has credited Joe Schmidt for facilitating the ease at which players can come in and out of the team without causing any disruption to performances.  Ever since Aki made his Ireland debut in November 2017, he has been a mainstay of Schmidt’s midfield. That has somewhat been influenced by injuries to other players but it has also shown …

Connacht full-back, Tiernan O’Halloran, has been named in Andy Friend’s side to face Sale Sharks in the European Challenge Cup tomorrow.  The 27-year-old has recovered from the leg injury that saw him miss all of the interprovincial derbies over the Christmas period and will feature in the back line alongside Cian Kelleher and Matt Healy. Following his contract extension earlier …

Connacht will travel to Perpignan this weekend in search of a win that will keep their challenge cup dreams very much alive.  Irish international Bundee Aki played on Saturday as Connacht overcame Perpignan 22-10 in horrible conditions at the Sportsground, but the talisman will miss this weekend’s return encounter as he has travelled back to his native New Zealand to get …

New Zealand full-back Damian McKenzie refused to stoke the much-discussed Bundee Aki fire on Thursday with the All Blacks just days out from their huge clash with Ireland at the Aviva Stadium. The Connacht centre has been the subject of much All-Black attention throughout the week as he prepares to take on the country of his birth. All Blacks assistant coach …

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has defended Bundee Aki amidst the extra attention being put on him from the New Zealand media and the All Blacks camp. Last weekend, much was made of the All Blacks facing off against England’s Brad Shields as up until the summer, he would have played all of his rugby in New Zealand with the …

For Connacht and Ireland centre Bundee Aki, the clash with New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium will no doubt hold some added significance. Aki was born in Auckland, and played for the Chiefs a number of years ago, winning the Super Rugby Championship in 2013 before a move to Connacht a year later. After impressing at the western province and …

Bundee Aki looks set to make his first appearance for Connacht this season as his side will be looking to make it two wins on the bounce when they travel to Murrayfield to take on Edinburgh.  The western province, buoyed by their comprehensive home win over Zebre last weekend, will take on an Edinburgh side desperate for a win after …

Ireland defeated Australia in a barnstorming test match in Sydney on Saturday morning, winning the series outright 2-1 in the process. Joe Schmidt’s side battled hard to overcome the loss of the first test to defeat the Wallabies in Melbourne last week, and had to work even harder in the final encounter in a game that was tighter and all …

Sunday 27 May is set to be a cracking day in South West London as England and the Barbarians face off at Twickenham.  The game will provide a good opportunity for some fringe England players to impress Eddie Jones before his squad depart for South Africa for a three-Test series against the Springboks. Barbarians fixtures never fail to disappoint with …

Bundee Aki wouldn’t have expected to become such an important cog in the Ireland machine so soon into his international career. Since making his international bow last November, the Connacht centre is about to win his sixth cap for Ireland when he lines out at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday for the eagerly-anticipated clash with Scotland. The 27-year-old will be …

Relatively speaking, injuries have been kind to Ireland thus far in the Six Nations Championship. That is of course if you’re not counting the midfield. Joe Schmidt prepares for the Scotland showdown short on centres, with Robbie Henshaw and Chris Farrell ruled out. Therefore, Ireland will be forced to shake things up in the midfield as they aim to take …

Jonathan Davies, Brian O'Driscoll and Martyn Williams praise Ireland after their thrilling win over Wales.