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Bundee Aki

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Bundee Aki

Fua Leiofi Bundellu Aki (born 7 April 1990) is a professional rugby union player who plays as a centre for United Rugby Championship club Connacht. Born in New Zealand, he represents Ireland at international level after qualifying on residency grounds. He became an Irish citizen in 2024, and maintains dual citizenship. He has four caps for the British and Irish Lions, has won three Six Nations Championships, three Triple Crowns and two Grand Slams with Ireland, a Super Rugby title with the Chiefs and one PRO12 title with Connacht Rugby.

Infobox

Full name
Fua Leiofi Bundellu Aki
Born
(1990-04-07) 7 April 1990 (age 35)Auckland, New Zealand
Height
1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Weight
102 kg (225 lb; 16 st 1 lb)
School
Manurewa High School
University
Athlone Institute of Technology
Position
Centre
Current team
Connacht
Years
Team
2011–2014
Counties Manukau
2013–2014
Chiefs
2014–
Connacht
2017–
Ireland
2021, 2025
British & Irish Lions

Tables

· Career statistics › List of international tries
1
1
Number
1
Position
Centre
Points
5
Tries
1
Result
Won
Opposition
Italy
Venue
Aviva Stadium
Date
10 February 2018
2
2
Number
2
Position
Centre
Points
5
Tries
1
Result
Won
Opposition
Wales
Venue
Aviva Stadium
Date
24 February 2018
3
3
Number
3
Position
Centre
Points
5
Tries
1
Result
Won
Opposition
Argentina
Venue
Aviva Stadium
Date
10 November 2018
4
4
Number
4
Position
Centre
Points
5
Tries
1
Result
Lost
Opposition
England
Venue
Twickenham Stadium
Date
24 August 2019
5
5
Number
5
Position
Centre
Points
5
Tries
1
Result
Won
Opposition
Italy
Venue
Aviva Stadium
Date
24 October 2020
6
6
Number
6
Position
Centre
Points
5
Tries
1
Result
Won
Opposition
Japan
Venue
Aviva Stadium
Date
6 November 2021
7
7
Number
7
Position
Centre
Points
5
Tries
1
Result
Won
Opposition
Wales
Venue
Aviva Stadium
Date
5 February 2022
8
8
Number
8
Position
Centre
Points
5
Tries
1
Result
Lost
Opposition
New Zealand
Venue
Eden Park
Date
2 July 2022
9
9
Number
9
Position
Centre
Points
5
Tries
1
Result
Won
Opposition
Australia
Venue
Aviva Stadium
Date
19 November 2022
10
10
Number
10
Position
Centre
Points
5
Tries
1
Result
Won
Opposition
Italy
Venue
Stadio Olimpico
Date
25 February 2023
11
11
Number
11
Position
Centre
Points
5
Tries
1
Result
Won
Opposition
England
Venue
Aviva Stadium
Date
19 August 2023
12–13
12–13
Number
12–13
Position
Centre
Points
10
Tries
2
Result
Won
Opposition
Romania
Venue
Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux
Date
9 September 2023
14–15
14–15
Number
14–15
Position
Centre
Points
10
Tries
2
Result
Won
Opposition
Tonga
Venue
Stade de la Beaujoire
Date
16 September 2023
16
16
Number
16
Position
Centre
Points
5
Tries
1
Result
Lost
Opposition
New Zealand
Venue
Stade de France
Date
14 October 2023
17
17
Number
17
Position
Centre
Points
5
Tries
1
Result
Won
Opposition
Fiji
Venue
Aviva Stadium
Date
23 November 2024
18
18
Number
18
Position
Centre
Points
5
Tries
1
Result
Won
Opposition
England
Venue
Aviva Stadium
Date
1 February 2025
Number
Position
Points
Tries
Result
Opposition
Venue
Date
Ref.
1
Centre
5
1
Won
Italy
Aviva Stadium
10 February 2018
2
Centre
5
1
Won
Wales
Aviva Stadium
24 February 2018
3
Centre
5
1
Won
Argentina
Aviva Stadium
10 November 2018
4
Centre
5
1
Lost
England
Twickenham Stadium
24 August 2019
5
Centre
5
1
Won
Italy
Aviva Stadium
24 October 2020
6
Centre
5
1
Won
Japan
Aviva Stadium
6 November 2021
7
Centre
5
1
Won
Wales
Aviva Stadium
5 February 2022
8
Centre
5
1
Lost
New Zealand
Eden Park
2 July 2022
9
Centre
5
1
Won
Australia
Aviva Stadium
19 November 2022
10
Centre
5
1
Won
Italy
Stadio Olimpico
25 February 2023
11
Centre
5
1
Won
England
Aviva Stadium
19 August 2023
12–13
Centre
10
2
Won
Romania
Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux
9 September 2023
14–15
Centre
10
2
Won
Tonga
Stade de la Beaujoire
16 September 2023
16
Centre
5
1
Lost
New Zealand
Stade de France
14 October 2023
17
Centre
5
1
Won
Fiji
Aviva Stadium
23 November 2024
18
Centre
5
1
Won
England
Aviva Stadium
1 February 2025

References

  1. Connacht Rugby
    https://www.connachtrugby.ie/players/bundee-aki/
  2. Irish Rugby
    https://www.irishrugby.ie/player/bundee-aki/
  3. Lions Rugby
    https://www.lionsrugby.com/2021/11/11/lions-v-japan-update/
  4. The Irish Times
    https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/social-affairs/2024/09/16/theres-not-a-bad-word-i-could-speak-about-ireland-rugby-star-bundee-aki-gains-irish-citizenship/
  5. RugbyLAD.com
    http://rugbylad.com/bundee-aki-reveals-his-real-name-why-everyone-calls-him-bundee/
  6. Rugby World
    https://www.rugbyworld.com/players/bundee-aki-ten-things-should-know-125419
  7. Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union
    https://web.archive.org/web/20160822154642/http://www.steelers.co.nz/steelers/index.php?contentid=65&profileid=88
  8. The42
    http://www.the42.ie/bundee-aki-family-first-3862584-Feb2018/
  9. RugbyLAD
    http://rugbylad.com/bundee-aki-reveals-his-real-name-why-everyone-calls-him-bundee/
  10. The Irish Times
    https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/bundee-aki-prepared-for-his-biggest-challenge-yet-1.3400369
  11. "Manurewa Chiefs: Tim Nanai Williams and Bundee Aki"
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fVnoes4rPQ
  12. The New Zealand Herald
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10860233
  13. rugbypass.com
    https://www.rugbypass.com/news/borneo-eagle-grand-slam-contender/
  14. Itsrugby
    http://www.itsrugby.co.uk/player_24091.html
  15. Radio New Zealand
    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/119227/counties-manukau-win-promotion-to-premiership
  16. The New Zealand Herald
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/match.cfm?season=2014&competition=208&match=814171
  17. Ultimate Rugby
    http://www.ultimaterugby.com/match/counties-manukau-vs-tasman-makos-at-ecolight-stadium-30th-aug-2013/1443/commentary
  18. The New Zealand Herald
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/match.cfm?season=2015&competition=208&match=815091
  19. Sky Sports Rugby
    http://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12559/8113427/super-rugby-champions-the-chiefs-sign-counties-manukau-centre-bundee-aki
  20. SA Rugby
    http://www.sarugby.co.za/matchbreakdown.aspx?id=114821&homeid=15151&awayid=15241&leagueid=1491&fullview=true&template=true
  21. SA Rugby
    http://www.sarugby.co.za/matchbreakdown.aspx?id=114841&homeid=15151&awayid=15121&leagueid=1491&fullview=true&template=true
  22. SANZAR
    http://www.sanzarrugby.com/superrugby/match-centre/?season=2014&competition=205&match=514201
  23. Irish Independent
    http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/connacht-announce-signing-of-super-xv-winner-bundee-aki-30180191.html
  24. "Connacht sign centre Bundee Aki"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20140413143120/http://www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-sign-centre-bundee-aki/#ConnachtNews
  25. The42
    https://www.the42.ie/irfu-bundee-aki-connacht-contract-4911640-Nov2019/
  26. "Connacht's Bundee Aki named PRO12 Players' Player of the Year"
    https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12321/10275065/connachts-bundee-aki-named-pro12-players-player-of-the-year
  27. Irish Independent
    http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/connacht-rugby/confirmed-bundee-aki-agrees-bumper-longterm-deal-with-connacht-while-ultan-dillane-signs-new-two-year-contract-35158794.html
  28. RugbyPass
    https://www.rugbypass.com/news/aki-deal-never-in-doubt/
  29. belfasttelegraph
    https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby/crunch-time-nears-for-in-demand-bundee-aki-as-he-weighs-up-money-or-ireland-38733149.html
  30. the42
    https://www.the42.ie/bundee-aki-contract-extension-6208395-Oct2023
  31. "Ireland centre Bundee Aki ends speculation with decision over future"
    https://www.rugbypass.com/news/ireland-centre-bundee-aki-ends-speculation-with-decision-over-future/
  32. The 42
    http://www.the42.ie/ireland-november-internationals-squad-talking-points-3665815-Oct2017/
  33. Last Word on Rugby
    https://lastwordonrugby.com/2016/10/05/project-players-underminingl-rugby/
  34. Rugby World
    https://www.rugbyworld.com/news/the-residency-rule-is-being-exploited-as-project-players-flood-european-game-70957
  35. SportsJOE.ie
    https://www.sportsjoe.ie/rugby/rugbys-project-player-system-criticised-active-project-player-109228
  36. independent
    https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/international-rugby/the-10-best-project-players-under-rugbys-controversial-three-year-residency-rule-35701067.html
  37. Off The Ball
    https://www.otbsports.com/rugby/bundee-aki-loyalty-ireland-922881
  38. The independent
    https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/international-rugby/neil-francis-bundee-akis-selection-in-joe-schmidts-squad-reflects-integrity-deficit-in-international-game-36262971.html
  39. belfasttelegraph
    https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby/world-cup/bundee-aki-critics-can-say-what-they-want-im-proud-to-represent-ireland-38500248.html
  40. The42
    https://www.the42.ie/bundee-aki-ireland-world-cup-pride-4810511-Sep2019/
  41. The Irish Times
    https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/international/conor-murray-says-teammate-bundee-aki-doesn-t-deserve-abuse-1.3283352
  42. The42
    https://www.the42.ie/bundee-aki-3694342-Nov2017/
  43. SportsJOE.ie
    https://www.sportsjoe.ie/rugby/conor-murray-bundee-aki-141308
  44. RugbyPass
    https://www.rugbypass.com/news/bundee-aki-shrugs-off-ireland-eligibility-criticism/
  45. Stuff
    https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/97184019/bundee-aki-says-ireland-rugby-camp-callup-an-eye-opener
  46. "Ireland 38–3 South Africa"
    https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/41956300
  47. ESPN Scrum
    https://www.espn.co.uk/rugby/report?gameId=291263&league=289234
  48. Irish Independent
    https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/six-nations/comment-bundee-aki-the-glue-that-kept-irelands-centre-together-36723109.html
  49. Irish Rugby
    https://web.archive.org/web/20180624153308/http://www.irishrugby.ie/rugby/fixturesandresults/42197.php
  50. The42
    https://www.the42.ie/ireland-new-zealand-2018-match-report-4345308-Nov2018/
  51. The42
    https://www.the42.ie/ireland-wales-six-nations-report-2019-4546426-Mar2019/
  52. Irish Rugby
    https://www.irishrugby.ie/2019/09/02/irelands-rugby-world-cup-squad-named/
  53. "Rugby World Cup: Bundee Aki in doubt for Ireland's next match after head knock"
    https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/rugby-world-cup/rwc-2019-japan/116004807/rugby-world-cup-2019-bundee-aki-in-doubt-for-ireland-after-head-knock
  54. Irish Independent
    https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/rugby-world-cup-2019/woeful-ireland-suffer-shock-world-cup-defeat-against-japan-as-pool-a-is-thrown-wide-open-38542457.html
  55. RTÉ Sport
    https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby-world-cup-2019/2019/1003/1080841-ireland-35-0-russia/
  56. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/oct/12/rugby-world-cup-2019-ireland-samoa-match-report
  57. Newstalk
    https://www.newstalk.com/sport/bundee-aki-suspended-three-games-samoa-red-card-914476
  58. RTÉ Sport
    https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby-world-cup-2019/2019/1019/1084399-new-zealand-46-14-ireland/
  59. The 42
    https://www.the42.ie/bundee-aki-ban-four-games-5389638-Mar2021/
  60. the42
    https://www.the42.ie/ireland-england-grand-slam-2-6022788-Mar2023/
  61. "Ireland name squad for World Cup - as it happened"
    https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/rugby-union/66620856
  62. "Rugby Pass Top100 Players"
    https://www.rugbypass.com/top-100-mens-rugby-players/
  63. Irish Times
    https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2024/01/10/bundee-aki-and-nichola-fryday-named-rugby-writers-players-of-the-year/
  64. "Six Nations: Peter O'Mahony to captain Ireland for 2024 tournament as Andy Farrell names squad"
    https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12321/13050299/six-nations-peter-omahony-to-captain-ireland-for-2024-tournament-as-andy-farrell-names-squad
  65. "Ireland 31-7 Wales: Bundee Aki shines in battling Six Nations victory"
    https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/rugby/ireland-vs-wales-six-nations-2025-match-result-b1141310.html
  66. "Ireland pick up big win against Fiji - as it happened"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/live/c207gr67710t?page=2#Line-ups
  67. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2025/feb/01/ireland-v-england-six-nations-2025-live-score-updates-rugby-union
  68. "British and Irish Lions 2021: Sam Simmonds in 37-man squad but Billy Vunipola misses out"
    https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/57007546
  69. "South Africa 19–16 British and Irish Lions: Morne Steyn's late penalty wins series"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/58130765
  70. "Bundee Aki Powers Over for First British and Irish Lions Try of the Tour"
    https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/video/36398/13386488/bundee-aki-powers-over-for-first-british-and-irish-lions-try-of-the-tour
  71. redbull.com
    https://www.redbull.com/ie-en/connacht-rugby-bundee-aki-facts-interview
  72. "Bundee Aki: 'I don't know if I'd get the same treatment somewhere else'"
    https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/european-cup/bundee-aki-i-don-t-know-if-i-d-get-the-same-treatment-somewhere-else-1.4776812
  73. "Aki among 3,600 new Irish citizens after ceremonies"
    https://www.rte.ie/news/2024/0916/1470291-citizenship-ceremonies/
  74. Six Nations Rugby
    https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/matchcentre/live/ireland-v-italy/#live
  75. Six Nations Rugby
    https://web.archive.org/web/20201106172049/https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/matchcentre/live/ireland-v-wales/#live
  76. BBC
    https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/46166561
  77. BBC
    https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/49460343
  78. Six National Rugby
    https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/report/super-scotland-end-frances-grand-slam-bid#report
  79. Sky Sports
    https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/ireland-vs-japan/100320
  80. Six Nations Rugby
    https://web.archive.org/web/20220815030128/https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/report/conway-at-the-double-as-ireland-defeat-wales-in-dublin#report
  81. BBC
    https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/62020099
  82. Autumn Nations Series
    https://autumnnationsseries.com/report/byrne-holds-his-nerve-to-edge-ireland-past-australia/#report
  83. Six National Rugby
    https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/report/ireland-stay-perfect-after-nervy-win-over-italy#report
  84. Autumn Internationals
    https://www.autumn-internationals.co.uk/2023/ireland-v-england.html
  85. espnscrum
    https://www.espn.com/rugby/report?gameId=596156&league=164205
  86. "Ireland 59 - 16 Tonga - Match Report & Highlights"
    https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/ireland-vs-tonga/106072
  87. "Ireland v New Zealand - Catch up on all the action | Rugby World Cup 2023"
    https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/2023/match/quarter-final-2-winner-pool-b-runner-up-pool-a
  88. ESPN
    https://web.archive.org/web/20220207182224/http://en.espn.co.uk/sport/rugby/player/145340.html
  89. Irish Independent
    https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/six-nations/all-30-of-irelands-grand-slam-contributors-rated-but-one-man-comes-out-on-top-36723107.html
  90. Irish Times
    https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2024/05/22/bundee-aki-named-ireland-mens-players-player-of-the-year/
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