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TOP 14

Ireland centre Bundee Aki in talks with Toulon

By Neil Fissler

57 days ago

Bundee Aki of Connacht before the United Rugby Championship match between Ulster v Connacht at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. (Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Toulon have launched an ambitious attempt to lure Ireland and Lions inside centre Bundee Aki to the Cote d’Azur when his contract with the Irish Rugby Union runs out at the end of the season.

Midi Olympique are reporting that Toulon have lined up Aki, who will be 35 next April, to replace Leicester Fainga’anuku, who is returning to New Zealand next season in a bid to kick-start his international career.

Fainga’anuku, who plays at 13 for Toulon and has won seven All-Black caps, has signed a two-year deal to rejoin the Crusaders after shinning in his 18 months in France, scoring ten tries in 22 appearances after his move following the 2024 World Cup.

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Wales try-scoring wizard Louis Rees-Zammit joins Jim Hamilton for an exclusive chat about life in the NFL. Watch the full show on RugbyPass TV

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He isn’t the only centre Toulon have coming to the end of their contracts. Samoan international Duncan Paia’aua could leave the club, while the futures of Mathieu Smaili and Jeremy Sinzelle are less than certain.

Auckland Aki, who has spent the last decade playing for Connacht, where he is closing in on 150 appearances, hasn’t yet been offered a new deal by the Irish Rugby Union for next season had held a video meeting with Toulon.

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The news that Aki is seriously considering a move to France comes less than a move after he was pictured receiving his Irish citizenship from Minister for Justice Helen McEntee during a ceremony in Dublin.

“I’ve been here for a very long time. I’ve embraced the people, and the people have embraced me and my family as well. We feel like we’re at home. To be granted citizenship is not something you take lightly,” Aki told the Irish Times.

Aki could also be a target for Provence Rugby and Biarritz, who are both gunning for promotion from the Pro D2 this season, but Toulon, who have already landed Zach Mercer from Gloucester, are the clear favourites to land him.

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Comments

1 Comment

Cosmo 57 days ago

Good man Bundee, go get the big bucks for a year or two for your family etc

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Barry 24 minutes ago

'Springbok Galacticos can't go it alone for trophy-hunting Sharks'

Always has elevated the profile of African rugby?

They didn't do much for the games profile from 1981 - 1992. Not in a positive sense at least.

5 Go to comments

Bull Shark 32 minutes ago

'Tom has the potential to be better than a British and Irish Lion'

What does “better than a British Lion” mean?

As good as a springbok?

6 Go to comments

Hellhound 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

On this I agree with you. There were many great teams and many different eras of rugby with very different rule sets. It's actually impossible to declare one team or player as the best ever. However, this is definitely the best SA team SA has ever had. All the accolades speaks for itself.

129 Go to comments

Hellhound 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

All you can do is hate on SA. Jealousy makes you nasty and it's never a good look. Those who actually knows rugby is all talking about the depth and standards of the SA players. They don't wear blinders like you. The NH had many years to build the depth and players for multiple competition the SA teams didn't. There will be growing pains. Not least travel issues. The NH teams barely have to travel to play an opponent opposed to the SA teams. That is just one issue. There is many more issues, hence the "growing pains". The CC isn't yet a priority and this is what most people have a problem with. Saying SA is disrespecting that competition which isn't true. SA don't have the funds yet to go big and get the players needed for 3 competitions. It all costs a lot of money. It's over using players and get them injured or prioritising what they can deliver with what are available. To qualify for CC, they need to perform well in the URC, so that is where the main priorities is currently. In time that will change with sponsors coming in fast. They are at a distinct disadvantage currently compared to the rest. Be happy about that, because they already are the best international team. You would have hated it if they kept winning the club competitions like the URC and CC every year too. Don't be such a sourmouth loser. See the complete picture and judge accordingly. There is many factors you aren't even aware of at play that you completely ignore just to sound relevant. Instead of being an positive influence and spread the game and help it grow, we have to read nonsense like this from haters. Just grow up and stop hating on the game. Go watch soccer or something that loves people like you.

129 Go to comments

Barry 1 hour ago

URC chief executive addresses potential Premiership merger

The RFU won't go for it especially now they've enhanced hybrid contracts and some control over their international players.

2 Go to comments

Barry 4 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

Exactly. They haven't learnt. Their regions and U20s are also whipping boys which is the bigger concern. Nothing coming through.

They maxed out the credit cards to keep their golden generation of players at home. It's now destroyed the game at every level in Wales.

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Barry 4 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

Nor can the same coach turn it around. That's been proven across the last year. It will be years before they are even competitive again. It's a 5 year + job. No way Gatland will be around for that.

Italy's nadir was around ten years ago and even they were better equipped with their regions, U20s and senior squad and management. Wales have further to fall.

10 Go to comments

Barry 5 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

If they're happy at losing 12 on the bounce, get a regional coach who would be as bad but cost about a sixth in salary.

10 Go to comments

dw 5 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

I'm no expert but I've never seen nz or even aus as doing much for those nations? Both have benefited from their countries players playing for us! I see most of the top nations looking after themselves and maybe it's a world rugby issue?

129 Go to comments

richard davies 5 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

At 600k a year I would think there will be quite a Que. win lose or draw you can blame the small stature of the players and the WRU