Tag Archives: bundee aki

Ireland international Bundee Aki has signed a contract extension with Connacht that will see him remain at the province until 2023. Aki’s current deal runs out in the summer and there was speculation that the star centre was considering a move abroad with a number of French teams thought to be sniffing around. However, the IRFU and Connacht have confirmed …

Ireland international Bundee Aki is “getting closer” to a new contract with Connacht, according to head coach Andy Friend.  There was speculation that the 29-year-old was considering a move away from the Irish province when his current contract finishes up in the summer with a number of French clubs reportedly interested in the Connacht star. However, it now seems the …

New Zealand assistant coach Ian Foster has said that his side will not be altering their preparations in light of the suspension of Ireland centre Bundee Aki. On Monday, a judicial committee handed the 29-year-old a three-match ban following his dangerous tackle on Ulupano Seuteni during Ireland’s win over Samoa, thus ruling him out of Saturday’s clash in Toyko. While …

Bundee Aki will continue to train with the Ireland squad ahead of their titanic World Cup quarter-final showdown with New Zealand and will have a “massive” influence on preparations, according to Simon Easterby.  The Connacht centre was handed a three-match ban on Monday following his high tackle on during Ireland’s 47-5 win over Samoa in their final Pool A game, …

Ireland received a huge blow to their World Cup hopes with the news that Bundee Aki has been banned for three weeks and as a result, will miss the remainder of the tournament.  Aki received a straight red card for his high tackle on Ulupano Seuteni on Saturday and the independent Judicial Committee upheld referee Nic Berry’s on-field decision. The …

Ireland will have to plan for their clash with the All Blacks without the services of Bundee Aki who has been banned for three games following his dismissal against Samoa. The Ireland centre received a straight red card from referee Nic Berry in the 29th minute of their 47-5 win in Fukuoka. As the Samoan fly-half Ulupano Seuteni went to …

Joe Schmidt sympathised with Bundee Aki as the Ireland centre faces the prospect of his World Cup being over because of the red card he picked up in Ireland’s 47-5 win over Samoa.  Ireland’s seven-try performance saw them clinch a quarter-final spot against either New Zealand or South Africa but Aki faces a nervous wait to see if he will …

Sean McMahon reporting from Yokohama.  Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has provided an injury update in the aftermath of his side’s 27-3 victory over Scotland in Pool A of the Rugby World Cup.  The game was played at a ferocious pace and both Peter O’Mahony and Bundee Aki were removed in the first half as they picked up head knocks. …

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 …