Aki relishing chance to hit back at NZ critics, says Marmion

Bundee Aki’s place in a Test opposition dressing room has come under fire in the New Zealand media this week but Connacht and Ireland team-mate Kieran Marmion believes the Auckland-born centre is relishing the opportunity to go toe to toe with the All Blacks tomorrow.

The criticism of Aki’s right to represent Ireland after three years of residency has been dismissed as a cynical exploitation of World Rugby’s current eligibility rules by the IRFU, but scrum-half Marmion, who will start in an Irish backline alongside the inside centre, insists it will be water off a duck’s back to his provincial colleague.