The talented midfielder has gone from idolising powerhouse Aki to playing alongside him.
Tonga second row Leva Fifita and Ireland winger Adam Byrne have been included on the list of eight players leaving Connacht at the end of the current season.
Connacht crowned their first appearance on the Sportsground’s new 4G pitch with a dogged 20-11 United Rugby Championship derby win over Munster.
Bundee Aki was sent off as Connacht suffered a 38-15 defeat to defending United Rugby Championship winners the Stormers in Stellenbosch.
Connacht have confirmed the names of all twelve players leaving them at end of the current season, adding that a squad of 44 has so far been assembled for next season.
Connacht were blown away in the second half by the Sharks as they fell short of completing a clean sweep of the United Rugby Championship’s South African sides, losing 41-21 in Durban.
Stormers Ruhan Nel has avoided a ban after facing a disciplinary panel for the yellow card he received playing against Connacht in the United Rugby Championship.
Connacht moved into sixth place in the United Rugby Championship following a hard-fought 19-17 victory over the Stormers at a breezy Sportsground in Galway.
Ireland squad member Robert Baloucoune touched down twice as Ulster climbed to the top of the United Rugby Championship table with a bonus-point win against Connacht in Belfast.
Bundee Aki’s first try of the season saw Connacht win an ill-tempered United Rugby Championship contest as they edged out Munster 10-8 at the Sportsground.
