50 not out: praise for Bundee Aki as he hits milestone in Saint-Denis epic

The in-form Connacht man led the way for Andy Farrell's side once again.

FAMILY TIES: Ireland’s Bundee Aki celebrates winning with his wife Kayla and children Ailbhe and Andronikas. Picture: INPHO/Dan Sheridan

There was no leading the team out for Bundee Aki to mark his 50th Ireland cap at Stade de France but the centre more than made an impression in the World Cup pool victory over South Africa.

Aki’s form has been red-hot in France, with four tries in Ireland’s first two games, big wins over Romania and Tonga, and another powerhouse display in Saturday night’s 13-8 victory over the Springboks.

The 33-year-old was his team’s leading carrier against the defending champions racking up 114 metres in 14 carries during an intensely attritional contest, the most eye-catching of which was the linebreak from the edge of Ireland’s 22 to South Africa’s that provided the platform for Mack Hansen’s 33-minute try.

“He was excellent,” assistant coach John Fogarty said yesterday. “It’s always important for Bundee, he represents himself, his family unbelievably well. He represents us very well on the field and he’s having a great tournament and last night was no different and 50th cap, for him to put in such a performance, we’re very proud of him.” 

Fogarty praised the Auckland-born Connacht man’s all-court game and physical robustness as well as the centre’s diligence in preparing for Test-match rugby week after week.

"Andy (Farrell) talks about it, it's how you make people feel in attack and defence.

"What you see at the weekend is real physicality, real energy, both sides of the ball. But during the week, how he prepares... Bundee, while he's a great character, he does a huge amount of work so he's very, very clear in his mind around what he needs to do in a game.

"So he does a huge amount of work with that centre group, with the coaches he needs to work with, so he's very, very clear in his mind and that doesn't go unnoticed by players.

"Somebody spending time, making sure they're unbelievably well prepared, players see that and obviously on field he gives so much energy to players, he's a very positive guy, he's picking guys off the ground, he's vocal when he's on the field.

"He's got excellent footwork, he's got real punch in his tackles and in his carries. So he makes people feel good on the field, he brings real energy and he's having a hell of a tournament.”