Ronan O’Gara: Aki’s x-factor a difference-maker for Ireland
What are the hallmarks of a team capable of lifting the Webb Ellis Cup?
A functioning set-piece is key, as is a number ten who can drive his team around the pitch efficiently and effectively. A pack of forwards that have the ability to give the backs a license to play is paramount, also.
But for Ronan O’Gara, when you get down to the business-end of a World Cup like this one, one vital ingredient that the eventual winners will possess is x-factor. Another is an ability to take risks.
Taking risks would have been something much less often seen during the tenure of former Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt, but things have changed under the stewardship of his successor Andy Farrell.
We have seen Farrell trust in the differing talents of Bundee Aki, James Lowe and Mack Hansen, amongst others, since taking over from Schmidt after the 2019 World Cup.
For O’Gara, the former of the three has been integral to Ireland thus far, and will be if they are to go all the way in France.
“Talking about x-factor players, where Ireland have a massive advantage, and it’s not taken 50 caps, but I think we’re seeing how good Bundee Aki can be and what a difference he makes to everyone,” O’Gara said, speaking on the in the company of Donal Lenihan and CJ Stander.
“We had serious cohesion and Robbie Henshaw is a brilliant player, but there is a little bit extra when you get Bundee Aki on the ball. Brilliant skills and a natural ball player, but he loves the hard stuff too.
“Then you have a nice foil with James Lowe’s left foot, Hansen is a little box of tricks. Cohesion won’t win you a World Cup and being so reliant on a brilliant structure game… I think this World Cup will be won by a risk-taker.”
On Aki, Former Ireland international CJ Stander was in full agreement, but insisted that Farrell’s trust has given the Connacht centre added impetus.
“What Andy has done, he’s given him a bit of a role,” stated Stander. “It looks like he’s one of the defensive leaders, and he’s probably spending a lot of time with Simon Easterby who is running the defence.
“To give a guy like that a bit of commitment and backing means a lot, for him especially. You can see he’s there to play for the team, he’s fit. I think he’s leading the charge.
“If you look at his stats in a World Cup. I’m telling you, the World Cup is a very, very difficult competition… I think he’s hitting his stride.”
Stander also noted the added panache Aki is now playing with.
“You know what the good thing is about him is he is not just taking the ball and carrying it… he is actually spreading the ball a bit, he’s popping up on the wing… he’s bringing a bit of x-factor.”
Can Aki can be the difference-maker should Ireland negotiate their way to the latter stages of rugby’s greatest show? That remains to be seen, but on current form, why not?
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