As All Blacks prepares for Ireland, Kiwi reflections on the ones that got away

'Where rugby bosses in New Zealand saw weaknesses, those in Ireland have found a focused force in Aki who is on track to be the World Rugby Player of the Year in 2023'

CATCH: Bundee Aki

It's a sore point on the day that's in it - a New Zealand selection of players who didn't make it as All Blacks but succeded to varying extends elsewhere in the rugby world.

The New Zealand Herald Saturday named its 'best players who weren't All Blacks' and accepted that powerhouse Ireland centre Bundee Aki might just have been "the one that got away."

"It’s no secret that New Zealand punches above its weight when it comes to sport but there are some eligible for representing the Land of the Long White Cloud on the international stage who fall through the cracks," Herald writer Luke Kirkness said. "Either through not being wanted or being developed into superstars overseas, there have been many rugby players who appeared on the national scene and went on to bigger and better things overseas."

Unsurprisingly Ireland's three adopted Kiwis are on the selection with Aki described thus: "Where the rugby bosses in New Zealand saw weaknesses, those in Ireland have found a focused force on track to be the World Rugby Player of the Year in 2023." Aki played for Counties Manukau and the Chiefs before heading to Ireland in 2014.

Of James Lowe, the Herald says: "The presence of Lowe on the left wing has given Ireland a sharp finisher, a booming left boot and a surprisingly good breakdown exponent."
And scrum half Jamison Gibson-Park, who did represent the Maori All Blacks is also namechecked. The full team is: 

Team of Exports: 15 Sean Maitland (Scotland), 14 Brendan Laney (Scotland), 13 Tony Marsh (France), 12 Bundee Aki (Ireland), 11 James Lowe (Ireland), 10 Gareth Anscombe (Wales), 9 Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland); 8 Thomas Waldrom (England), 7 John Hardie (Scotland), 6 Brad Shields (England),  5 Dean Budd (Italy), 4 Martin Johnson (England), 3 Uini Atonio (France), 2 Dylan Hartley (England), 1 Simon Berghan (Scotland).