Bundee Aki
Aki representing Ireland during the 2023 Six Nations Championship
Full nameFua Leiofi Bundellu Aki
Date of birth (1990-04-07) 7 April 1990 (age 33)
Place of birthAuckland, New Zealand
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)[1]
Weight102 kg (225 lb; 16 st 1 lb)[1]
SchoolManurewa High School
UniversityAthlone Institute of Technology
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre
Current team Connacht
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2011–2014 Counties Manukau 43 (50)
2013–2014 Chiefs 25 (50)
2014– Connacht 121 (130)
Correct as of 23 October 2022
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2017– Ireland 52 (80)
2021 British & Irish Lions 1 (0)
Correct as of 16 October 2023[2]

Fua Leiofi Bundellu Aki (born 7 April 1990) is a professional rugby union player who plays as a centre for United Rugby Championship club Connacht. Born in New Zealand, he represents Ireland at international level after qualifying on residency grounds.[3]

Early life

Of Samoan descent,[4] Aki was born in the Auckland suburb of Ōtāhuhu,[5] to Hercules and Sautia Aki.[6] He was named Fua Leiofi, but was called Bundellu after the doctor who delivered him. The nickname "Bundee" was given to him by a rugby coach at under-age level.[7] Bundee was the second eldest of six children, with one brother and four sisters.[8]

Aki grew up in Manurewa, a suburb in South Auckland, and attended Manurewa High School,[9] where he played for the school's First XV rugby team. He took a year out from a professional rugby career in 2011, when he worked as a bank teller.[10]

Personal life

Aki grew up and went to school with fellow Chiefs teammate Tim Nanai-Williams.[9]

Aki has four children and frequently highlights the importance his family has to him.[11] Aki lives in Oranmore, a suburb of Galway city.[12]

Club career

Malaysia

Aki played for the Borneo Eagles based in Sabah, East Malaysia Year.[13]

Counties Manukau

Aki began playing for Counties Manukau in the 2011 season. He made nine appearances for the side with five of these coming as starts, scoring three tries as they finished fourth in the Championship Division of the 2011 ITM Cup.[14] In the 2012 ITM Cup, he played 11 of the team's 12 games, starting on each occasion and scoring six tries.[14] Counties Manukau finished top of the Championship Division and won their play-off games against Southland and Otago, which earned the side promotion to the following year's Premiership Division.[15]

With Counties promoted to the Premiership Division, he played in all ten of their regular season games in the 2013 ITM Cup, starting eight of these, as the team qualified for the play-offs on their return to the top flight.[14] He also started in the team's play-off semi-final, a 41–10 defeat to Wellington.[16] Aki scored one try during the course of the season, with the score coming against Tasman in a 20–40 defeat.[17]

2014 was Aki's final season with Counties, as it had been announced earlier in the year that he would be leaving New Zealand to join Irish side Connacht. He started all ten games as Counties finished fifth, two points outside the playoff places, in the 2014 ITM Cup, but did not score any points.[14] Aki's final appearance for Counties Manukau came in the team's 41–18 victory over Auckland on 8 October 2014.[18]

Chiefs

In September 2012, it was announced that Aki had signed for reigning Super Rugby champions the Chiefs, having been part of the side's development set up previously.[19] Aki came into the team for the 2013 Super Rugby season. He played in 13 of the side's 18 regular season games, starting 12 of these and scoring five tries, as Chiefs finished top of the table.[14] Aki also featured for the team in the play-offs coming off the bench after 48 minutes against Crusaders in the semi-final, and after 46 minutes in the final against the Brumbies as Chiefs won their second title in a row.[20][21]

Aki played ten times for Chiefs in the regular season of the 2014 season, starting seven of these matches and scoring three tries.[14] Chiefs finished sixth in the final standings of the league season, the final qualifying spot for the competition's play-off rounds. Aki started in the Chiefs' quarter-final game against the Brumbies, a replay of the previous year's final. Aki scored his fourth try of the season, but finished on the losing side as the Brumbies won the game by 32–30.[22] This was Aki's final game for the Chiefs, as it had been announced earlier in the year that he would be moving to Irish side, Connacht.[23]

Connacht

Aki before Connacht's 2022–23 Challenge Cup match against Benetton Rugby

Aki signed for Connacht in April 2014 and moved to Ireland ahead of the 2014–15 season. This move made him the second Chiefs player in as many years to join Connacht, following the transfer of captain Craig Clarke the previous season.[23][24] He quickly became a key part of Connacht's setup, starting whenever fit and excelling on the pitch.[25]

On 25 October 2016, Aki signed a new contract to remain at Connacht until 2020. He became eligible to play for Ireland after completing three years of residence in the country in October 2017.[26]

In November 2019, he signed a fresh three-year extension to his central contract, to keep him with Connacht until the summer of 2023 at least, the first Connacht player to sign a central deal with the union.[25] After signing, he declared: "I am truly grateful for the opportunity I have been given to represent both Connacht and Irish and am delighted to extend my IRFU contract (...) From the start of my Debut in the Irish jersey me and my family have had great support".[27] His decision to extend his contract came after much media speculation about what his future may hold after a disappointing 2019 Rugby World Cup.[28]

In October 2023, following Ireland's exit from the Rugby World Cup and Aki's nomination for World Player Of The Year, the IRFU announced Aki had extended his central contract, keeping him at Connacht to 2025.[29]

International career

Ireland call-up

Aki was qualified to play for New Zealand, where he was born and raised, and Samoa, the country of origin of his parents. However, after completing a three-year residency period, he became eligible to represent Ireland on the international stage.

On 26 October 2017, Aki was named in the extended Ireland squad for the Autumn internationals.[30] His inclusion came at a time when a growing number of players were qualifying to play for a foreign nation based on the three-year residency rule, which sparked a huge debate about eligibility rules in rugby union.[31][32][33][34]

Parts of the media stated that he had no real connection with Ireland, was getting in the way of Irish talent going through the ranks, and questioned loyalty issues should Aki decide to move abroad after his contract was over thus ending his international career.[35] His selection was criticised by some former internationals, including Neil Francis[36] and Luke Fitzgerald, who was generally critical of the residency rule,[37][38] but supported by others including Alan Quinlan[35] Simon Easterby,[39] and Chris Farrell.[38] Other rugby figures, including Conor Murray, and former Ireland head coach Eddie O'Sullivan, whilst critical of the residency rule, felt it was unfair individual players such as Aki to be singled out for criticism.[40][41] Aki acknowledged the criticism, admitting that a big part of his motivation to move to Ireland was to play international rugby, and noted that he hoped that he could do the country proud with his on-field performance.[42][43]

Ireland career

Aki made his debut for Ireland in the 38–3 win against South Africa at the Aviva Stadium on 11 November 2017, playing the full 80 minutes.[44] Two weeks later he played against Argentina, again featuring for the entire match in a 28–19 win.[45]

In the 2018 Six Nations, Aki was the only centre to feature in every game for Ireland as they won the Grand Slam. Injuries to centre partners Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw and Chris Farrell meant that Aki started every match and was only replaced in the final game against England due to injury.[46] He was also part of the team's end-of season tour of Australia, which saw Ireland win a test series against Australia for the first time since 1979.[47]

Aki continued to be a regular starter for Ireland in the 2018–19 season. On 17 November 2018, he started against his native New Zealand in a 16–9 win. This was Ireland's first victory over the All Blacks on home soil.[48] Aki also featured in all five of Ireland's games in the 2019 Six Nations, as they finished third in a disappointing defence of their Grand Slam title.[49]

In September 2019, Aki was named in the Irish squad for the upcoming World Cup.[50] He started Ireland's opening game against Scotland, but was removed after only 20 minutes in the 27–3 win due to a head injury. This injury caused him to miss the next game against Japan,[51] which ended in a shock 19–12 defeat to leave Ireland in danger of elimination.[52] Aki returned to the starting lineup for the following game against Russia,[53] and also started the final pool match against over Samoa but was sent off in the 29th minute of the 47–5 win.[54] The red card resulted in a three-game suspension, ruling Aki out of the remainder of the tournament.[55] Ireland were eliminated in the next round, as New Zealand ran out 46–14 victors in the quarter-finals.[56]

Aki was banned for four games after receiving a red card for a high tackle on Billy Vunipola in Ireland's 32–18 win against England in the 2021 Six Nations Championship on 20 March.[57]

He was called up to be part of the Irish squad for the 2023 Six Nations Championship which went on to win their fourth Grand Slam.[58] In August 2023, he was selected to be in Ireland's World Cup squad ahead of the 2023 World Cup in France.[59] In January 2024 Aki was named the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Men’s Players of The Year.[60]

British & Irish Lions

On 6 May 2021, Aki was named in the squad for the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa.[61] He made his test debut on 7 August 2021 in the final test. South Africa won the final test 19–16 and the series by two games to one.[62]

Career statistics

List of international tries

Number Position Points Tries Result Opposition Venue Date Ref.
1 Centre 5 1 Won Italy Aviva Stadium 10 February 2018 [63]
2 Centre 5 1 Won Wales Aviva Stadium 24 February 2018 [64]
3 Centre 5 1 Won Argentina Aviva Stadium 10 November 2018 [65]
4 Centre 5 1 Lost England Twickenham Stadium 24 August 2019 [66]
5 Centre 5 1 Won Italy Aviva Stadium 24 October 2020 [67]
6 Centre 5 1 Won Japan Aviva Stadium 6 November 2021 [68]
7 Centre 5 1 Won Wales Aviva Stadium 5 February 2022 [69]
8 Centre 5 1 Lost New Zealand Eden Park 2 July 2022 [70]
9 Centre 5 1 Won Australia Aviva Stadium 19 November 2022 [71]
10 Centre 5 1 Won Italy Stadio Olimpico 25 February 2023 [72]
11 Centre 5 1 Won England Aviva Stadium 19 August 2023 [73]
12–13 Centre 10 2 Won Romania Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux 9 September 2023 [74]
14–15 Centre 10 2 Won Tonga Stade de la Beaujoire 16 September 2023 [75]
16 Centre 5 1 Lost New Zealand Stade de France 14 October 2023 [76]

as of 15 October 2023[77]

Honours

Chiefs
Connacht
Ireland

References

  1. ^ a b "Connacht Rugby | Bundee Aki". Connacht Rugby. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  2. ^ "Bundee Aki". Irish Rugby. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  3. ^ "Bundee Aki Reveals His Real Name & Why Everyone Calls Him Bundee". RugbyLAD.com. 22 September 2017. Retrieved 23 September 2017. When my mum was giving birth to me, the doctor was called Bundellu, and asked if he could name me after him. My mum being a nice person, said yes. So I was named after him! So everybody at primary school called me Bundaloo.
  4. ^ "Who is Bundee Aki: Ten things you should know about the Ireland centre". Rugby World. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  5. ^ "Player Profiles: Bundee Aki". Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union. Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  6. ^ "I get a call every Monday from the old man and mum, trying to tweak my game". The42. 22 February 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  7. ^ "Bundee Aki Reveals His Real Name & Why Everyone Calls Him Bundee". RugbyLAD. 22 September 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  8. ^ "Bundee Aki prepared for his biggest challenge yet". The Irish Times. 22 February 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  9. ^ a b "Manurewa Chiefs: Tim Nanai Williams and Bundee Aki" – via YouTube.
  10. ^ "Rugby: Bundee looks to fit the bill". The New Zealand Herald. 20 January 2013. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  11. ^ "Meet Connacht Rugby – Bundee Aki". redbull.com. 20 February 2020. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  12. ^ "Bundee Aki: 'I don't know if I'd get the same treatment somewhere else'". Irish Times. 15 January 2022. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  13. ^ "From Borneo Eagle to Grand Slam contender". rugbypass.com. 16 March 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  14. ^ a b c d e f "Player statistics – club stats: Bundee Aki". Itsrugby. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  15. ^ "Counties-Manukau win promotion to premiership". Radio New Zealand. 26 October 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  16. ^ "Wellington 41 – 10 Counties Manukau". The New Zealand Herald. 18 October 2013. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  17. ^ "Counties Manukau 20 – 40 Tasman". Ultimate Rugby. 30 August 2013. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  18. ^ "Counties Manukau 41 – 18 Auckland". The New Zealand Herald. 8 October 2014. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  19. ^ "Super Rugby champions the Chiefs sign Counties Manukau centre Bundee Aki". Sky Sports Rugby. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  20. ^ "MATCH BREAKDOWN: Chiefs vs Crusaders". SA Rugby. 27 July 2013. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  21. ^ "MATCH BREAKDOWN: Chiefs vs Brumbies". SA Rugby. 3 August 2013. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  22. ^ "BRUMBIES END CHIEFS' TITLE RUN". SANZAR. 19 July 2014. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  23. ^ a b "Connacht announce signing of Super XV winner Bundee Aki". Irish Independent. 12 April 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  24. ^ "Connacht sign centre Bundee Aki" (Press release). Connacht Rugby. 12 April 2014. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  25. ^ a b Kinsella, Murray (29 November 2019). "IRFU confirm new Bundee Aki deal to keep him with Connacht until 2023". The42. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  26. ^ "Confirmed: Bundee Aki agrees bumper long-term deal with Connacht while Ultan Dillane signs new two year contract". Irish Independent. 26 October 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
  27. ^ "Bundee Aki: 'I never' questioned allegiance". RugbyPass. 30 November 2019. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  28. ^ "Crunch time nears for in-demand Bundee Aki as he weighs up money or Ireland". belfasttelegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  29. ^ "Bundee Aki signs contract extension with IRFU to keep him at Connacht until 2025". the42. 27 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  30. ^ "Schmidt's statement, Bundee's inclusion and more Ireland squad talking points". The 42. 26 October 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
  31. ^ Boyd, Rory (5 October 2016). "Project Players Are Undermining Rugby". Last Word on Rugby. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  32. ^ "The residency rule is being exploited as project players flood European game". Rugby World. 8 October 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  33. ^ "Rugby's project player system criticised by active project player..." SportsJOE.ie. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  34. ^ "The 10 best 'project players' under rugby's controversial three-year residency rule". independent. 10 May 2017. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  35. ^ a b Ball, Off The. ""Is this not a slap in the face for Irish Rugby?" | Bundee Aki's next move". Off The Ball. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  36. ^ "Neil Francis: Bundee Aki's selection in Joe Schmidt's squad reflects integrity deficit in international game". The independent. 26 October 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  37. ^ "Bundee Aki: Critics can say what they want, I'm proud to represent Ireland". belfasttelegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  38. ^ a b Kinsella, Murray (16 September 2019). "'People have their own opinions' – Aki proud to represent Ireland at the World Cup". The42. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  39. ^ House, Johnny Watterson at Carton. "Conor Murray says teammate Bundee Aki doesn't deserve abuse". The Irish Times. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  40. ^ Casey, Gavan (13 November 2017). "'I couldn't get my head around it: 'Why are we having this debate now? What did Aki do differently?". The42. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  41. ^ "Conor Murray's comments on Bundee Aki should put an end to the bullshit". SportsJOE.ie. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  42. ^ "Bundee Aki shrugs off Ireland eligibility criticism". RugbyPass. 15 September 2019. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  43. ^ "Bundee Aki says Ireland rugby camp call-up 'an eye opener'". Stuff. 23 September 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  44. ^ "Ireland 38–3 South Africa". BBC Sport. 11 November 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  45. ^ "Ireland battle to victory over Argentina and seal third autumn Test win". ESPN Scrum. 25 November 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  46. ^ "Bundee Aki the glue that kept Ireland's centre together". Irish Independent. 20 March 2018. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  47. ^ "Schmidt Praises Character of Players As Ireland Claim Historic Series Win". Irish Rugby. 23 June 2018. Archived from the original on 24 June 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  48. ^ "Stunning Stockdale score sees Schmidt's Ireland down the All Blacks again". The42. 17 November 2018. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  49. ^ "Wales do the Slam as Schmidt's shambolic Ireland end Six Nations on dire note". The42. 16 March 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  50. ^ "Ireland's Rugby World Cup Squad Is Announced". Irish Rugby. 2 September 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  51. ^ "Rugby World Cup: Bundee Aki in doubt for Ireland's next match after head knock". Stuff. 23 September 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  52. ^ "Woeful Ireland suffer shock World Cup defeat against Japan as Pool A is thrown wide open". Irish Independent. 28 September 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  53. ^ "Flat Ireland fail to ignite in bonus-point win over Russia". RTÉ Sport. 4 October 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  54. ^ "Ireland thrash Samoa to ease into last eight despite Bundee Aki red card". The Guardian. 12 October 2019. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
  55. ^ "Bundee Aki suspended for three games after Samoa red card". Newstalk. 14 October 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  56. ^ "New Zealand crush abysmal Ireland as Joe Schmidt era ends in World Cup massacre". RTÉ Sport. 19 October 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  57. ^ "Bundee Aki gets four-game ban after red card against England". The 42. 24 March 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  58. ^ a b "Ireland finish over the top of England to claim glorious Grand Slam". the42. 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  59. ^ "Ireland name squad for World Cup - as it happened". BBC. 27 August 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  60. ^ "Bundee Aki and Nichola Fryday named Rugby Writers' Players of the Year". Irish Times. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  61. ^ "British and Irish Lions 2021: Sam Simmonds in 37-man squad but Billy Vunipola misses out". BBC Sport. 6 May 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  62. ^ "South Africa 19–16 British and Irish Lions: Morne Steyn's late penalty wins series". BBC Sport. 7 August 2021. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
  63. ^ "HENSHAW AND STOCKDALE DOUBLE UP AS IRELAND CRUISE". Six Nations Rugby. 10 February 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  64. ^ "IRELAND V WALES: REPORT ENGLISH". Six Nations Rugby. 24 February 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  65. ^ Murtagh, Cian (10 November 2018). "Autumn internationals: Ireland labour to 28-17 win over Argentina". BBC. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  66. ^ Bysouth, Alex (24 August 2019). "England 57-15 Ireland: Eddie Jones' side dominate visitors in World Cup warm-up". BBC. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  67. ^ Bennett, Charlie (24 October 2020). "SUPER SCOTLAND END FRANCE'S GRAND SLAM BID". Six National Rugby. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  68. ^ "Ireland 60-5 Japan: Andrew Conway notches hat-trick". Sky Sports. 6 November 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  69. ^ Baber, Andy (5 February 2022). "CONWAY AT THE DOUBLE AS IRELAND DEFEAT WALES IN DUBLIN". Six Nations Rugby. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  70. ^ Morrow, Michael (2 July 2022). "New Zealand 42-19 Ireland: Ruthless All Blacks hammer visitors". BBC. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  71. ^ "Byrne holds his nerve to edge Ireland past Australia". Autumn Nations Series. 19 November 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  72. ^ "IRELAND STAY PERFECT WITH NERVY WIN OVER ITALY". Six National Rugby. 25 February 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  73. ^ "Ireland 29-10 England". Autumn Internationals. 19 August 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  74. ^ "No. 1 Ireland rout Romania 82-8 in Rugby World Cup opener". espnscrum. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  75. ^ "Ireland 59 - 16 Tonga - Match Report & Highlights". Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  76. ^ "Ireland v New Zealand - Catch up on all the action | Rugby World Cup 2023".
  77. ^ "Bundee Aki". 7 February 2022.
  78. ^ "All 30 of Ireland's Grand Slam contributors rated – but one man comes out on top". Irish Independent. 20 March 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2018.

External links

Connacht – current squad
Ireland squad – 2019 Rugby World Cup
British & Irish Lions – 2021 South Africa tour
Ireland squad – 2023 Rugby World Cup
Categories