The Profile

Bundee Aki: Ireland’s man of the moment

The Connacht centre is playing the rugby of his life as Ireland prepare to take on Scotland in the Rugby World Cup

Bundee Aki: strength and resilience has made him into a leader on the pitch

Never argue with a confident man. Within a minute of his debut for Ireland in 2017, an autumn international against South Africa, Bundee Aki announced himself to the Irish public. Aki appeared like a flash to put down Coenie Oosthuizen, a man 25kg heavier than him, and force a turnover.

It was the defensive force Ireland wanted from its then new number 12 but it’s something that Colm Tucker, defensive coach at Connacht, appreciates ...