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Bundee Aki on high alert for threat of Scotland ambush with 'freakish athlete'

By PA
Bundee aki of Ireland celebrates during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between South Africa and Ireland at Stade de France on September 23, 2023, in Saint-Denis near Paris, France. (Photo by Christian Liewig - Corbis/Getty Images)

In-form centre Bundee Aki knows Scotland pose a “massive threat” to Ireland’s Rugby World Cup aspirations due to his experiences with the British and Irish Lions.

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Connacht centre Aki has been one of the standout performers of the tournament so far and helped his side to the cusp of the quarter-finals with four tries across three successive Pool B wins.

Yet the world’s top-ranked nation could still suffer early elimination at the hands of the Scots on Saturday evening in Paris.

New Zealand-born Aki played alongside “freakish athlete” Duhan Van Der Merwe during the 2021 Lions tour of South Africa, in addition to the likes of fly-half Finn Russell and midfield rival Chris Harris.

Speaking of Edinburgh wing Van Der Merwe, he said: “He’s actually a good lad, I got along with Duhan very well.

“Obviously on the pitch he’s a freakish athlete. He can make something out of nothing, he’s quick, he’s strong, the threat that he poses for Scotland is unbelievable.

“And not just him. You’ve got the likes of Darcy (Graham), Finn and the rest of their backline, Chris Harris. They’re unbelievable athletes.

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“We’ve got our hands full this weekend and they’re going to be a massive threat for us.”

Player Carries

1
Bundee Aki
14
2
Damian Willemse
12
3
Caelan Doris
9

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell is due to name his team for the weekend on Thursday afternoon.

Aki is expected to once again partner Garry Ringrose, while fellow Lions centre Robbie Henshaw is a doubt due to a niggle.

The 33-year-old is braced for a demanding midfield battle.

“Their midfield has some world-class players,” Aki said of Scotland.

“You’ve got Sione Tuipulotu who is running amok around there, the likes of Chris Harris and Huw Jones, jeez I could talk all about their running lines, their gas and speed, the defensive side of things.

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“They’re playing unbelievably well, so we have to make sure we as a group know what’s coming ahead of us and make sure that we’re on top of our game.”

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6 Comments
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BMac 571 days ago

Enjoying the Aki is playing at present, how a hard running back should play. I cant see Scotland at all winning this game, they always talk up their game but rarely deliver, Ireland by 12 plus

P
Petrus 571 days ago

"New Zealand-born Aki" you mean NZ high school, NPC and Super Rugby trained just like two other of the "Irish" players (Lowe & Gibson-Park) plus Hansen (Australia trained through to Melbourne Rebels player). That's 1/3 of the starting team haha.

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GS 2 hours ago
James O'Connor, the Lions and the great club v country conundrum

Whilst I dislike what is occurring with the French clubs, they are not the only parties involved in this activity. You can also look to Ireland and its “Project Player” Scheme, or how Scotland picks players with zero background who have never lived in Scotland.


But market forces will dictate where players will end up.


If RA wants to retain these players, then it should offer them remuneration in line with or better than what the French clubs can. The NZRFU should have offered Aki, Lowe, or Fergus Burke a higher salary than what was offered by the likes of Irish Rugby, Sacarens, etc., if it wanted to retain them.


These kids going to France and the aforementioned Kiwi players are attempting to build a career and financial security in a career that can end with one injury. Think about that—one bad injury, and your career is over, so just like anyone, they have to make the smart, informed decision that is right for them and their families.


If the likes of Oz and NZ can’t or are not prepared to match the $$$, so be it - this is the reality of professional rugby, and whilst it turns the international game into a glorified club comp, I’m not sure if there is any solution.


And let’s remember it’s not all negative. This movement of players from Nth to South gives kids like Blair Murray or Taine Plumtree the ability to earn good $$ and experience international rugby, when let’s face it, they would at best be on the fringes of a Super Rugby squad - so it’s not all bad!

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