From The South Pacific To Connacht | The Bundee Aki Story | ITV Sport

[@bernieob9577]

We love this man , he is a legend and we are so grateful to have him ❤

[@rugbywhisperer-coachkane3038]

Class player

[@artetaDagoat]

Best 12 since Ma'a Nonu

[@wolfgangvonuce9803]

thank you for accepting him in Ireland we love the Irish❤🇮🇪🇼🇸

[@guy_this]

All of nz are actually proud of him 💪🏽 we love our Irish ☘️

[@Cononized]

🤮🤮 not Irish at all.

[@courageousdog]

We love him here. Those journalists do not talk for us. We are grateful. Thanks Bundee...

[@Omahagan]

That was a couple of years ago I’m glad to see nothing negative in the media about him now

[@Eringobragh2024]

He's not Irish? Rugby is now just about using money and undertable deals to buy in the best players from anywhere

[@bencanny2877]

@@Eringobragh2024 he's as irish as any of us mate, dont be bitter cos youll never experience the same love from your countrymen

[@Cononized]

No, shill twerks like you don’t speak for the Irish. get him out.

[@Cononized]

@@bencanny2877no he isn’t? No Irish blood, 100% kiwi. Speak for yourself 🤮🤮

[@Stevenbfg]

People forget how much of a shock Connacht winning the championship was. Pal Lam worked some magic.

[@TineBeo]

..expansive attacking rugby. Opposite to JS who went on to pick only 1 Connacht Pro 12 winning player for the Irish team (Henshaw was signed for Leinster. Jack Carty was brilliant then blamed for JS shit tactics and couldn't get back in! Crazy

[@Stevenbfg]

@@TineBeo He gave some players some token caps during the South Africa tour I remember but then never played them again. I'm grateful for the building blocks Joe Schmidt gave us but he was thoroughly was found out at the start of 2019 by England and had no plan B for the rest of year. Despite the QF heartbreak of the last WC, at least we actually competed.

[@VunterSlaush1650]

Same year Leicester City won the premiership too.

[@TheKennyboy92]

Such an incredible achievement

[@hanoitripper1809]

And in that same theme of critizing Aki, Pat Lam was taking the position of an Irish coach.. so do they want no foreigners at all in the sport ?

[@olliegueret2963]

We're lucky to have him! Legend!!!

[@froblivion8284]

Bundee is world class. Can’t imagine our team without him. ☘️💪☘️

[@stupotingoole]

An awesome player to watch on the pitch,from a Scotland fan….huge respect to him

[@projectcarmo]

We love us some Bundeeeeeeee!!

[@johndevoy5792]

Bundee...from deep in west Cork, well done buddy. Keep going.

[@Cononized]

Yeah go all the way back to NZ and take your piglets with you

[@JohnJoyce-p8j]

He's my favourite irish player and he is as irish as anyone else on match day mans a beast

[@AG-so4gl]

Hes not irish you numpty

[@leonhuggins7579]

Yeah but not really

[@JohnJoyce-p8j]

@@leonhuggins7579 yes really what's your point 😂

[@JohnJoyce-p8j]

@@leonhuggins7579 your the type of fella that would call a traveller a knacker even tho they are the indigenous people of ireland not the settle community So is the settle community really irish too 😂 of course kinda😂 like bunakiee they are know your history dude and it still doesn't change that you was raised by racists like most of the irish yes he was not born in Ireland still what's your point ?

[@RazorMouth]

​@@JohnJoyce-p8j Indigenous? We were not all travellers at one point. The travellers actually separated from the main population over time hundreds of years ago. They are a tiny tiny percentage of the native Irish population.

[@Backpfeifengesicht45]

He's handily our most universally loved and revered player. Not only because he's and unbelievable player, but he's such a good lad.

[@EMMYK1916]

The "Sure luck"was so Irish, wasn't it? And the odd "Jesus "!!

[@Eringobragh2024]

That's lovely but he's still not ethnically a Gael, he's still not Irish.

[@Backpfeifengesicht45]

@@Eringobragh2024 you seem to have prematurely posted your comment. You don't seem to have made a point.

[@Backpfeifengesicht45]

@@EMMYK1916 that's the best bit. He's a Galway lad now. He even gets on Supermacs ads.

[@Eringobragh2024]

​​@@Backpfeifengesicht45 no, you state he's a good player... Which is lovely, but he's not Irish so he should play for the nation and ethnicity in which he's attributed to, since he's not ethnically a Gael. Any country being able to simply buy in any good player will ruin the significance of international rugby in a few years time...wait and see

[@lordhuggington9615]

Rugby is an international sport that binds us together, Bundee is a amazing talent.

[@MusMasi]

Great Mercenary for Ireland!!

[@murray02i]

That article was smashed.... absolutely smashed by mainstream media. We love having Bundee, Lowe and absolutely anyone in our squad. Anyone who shows passion for this country like he has. Passion is irish-ness

[@TineBeo]

Correct

[@davidreed9671]

So you are cheering the shirt and not your country then, fine but the New Ireland lacks the quintessential ingredients of Eire.

[@mjw12345]

@@davidreed9671 'New Ireland lacks the quintessential ingredients of Eire' - well this brainless post risks demolishing our status as the most literate place in the world.

[@citizenkay]

​@@davidreed9671Eire? It's not the 1940s. Bundee gets this country. You don't

[@davidreed9671]

@@citizenkay bull - It is the Irish name for the Republic of Ireland, it still says Éire on the stamps! It is you so-called progressive lot that don't get what it is to be Irish. You don't know what you are losing, no man from the South Pacific can possibly have the same feel for the gaelic culture, traditions and ways as a family steeped in it for centuries. But then Dublin seems to be lost to idiots following the globalist elite agenda, good luck with that - Erin go bragh!

[@eugenefarrell1002]

Bundee would run through a brickwall for Ireland and his teammates, how could you not love this man for what he has done for Connacht and Ireland.

[@Cononized]

He’s weak, mercenary that should be sent back to Auckland where he can’t make a team 😂🤮

[@MusMasi]

Great Mercenary for Ireland!!

[@franklaititi2262]

@@Cononizedyou should come to nz for a hiding mate, yeah ?

[@edwardoalegarme]

Bundee is an Inspiration

[@karldoyle8470]

He is lifting irish rugby in the west and for putting up with that weather , is as irish as can be :) we are so lucky to have him and works so well with the system 💪💪💪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪

[@Eringobragh2024]

Enjoy being ethnically replaced in your EU dumping ground country. Your comment is beyond cucked

[@alienlickwid]

We love you back Bundee!

[@robertward9852]

Does ireland proud every time he's put on the green jersey

[@robertward9852]

@Okthen-jc2yi not really a shame. I'm just glad he plays for ireland

[@robertward9852]

@@Okthen-jc2yi then don't watch it.

[@DavyB1983]

I wish every Irish person had the heart of Bundee Aki, he is a true gentleman. I will fight and die on any hill against any man who has anything bad to say against Bundee. He had earned the right to be called Irish. #Legend

[@dereklyle6589]

Bundee Aki has added another dimension to the already super Irish back line. Not just stability but allows the back line to be complete in attack. Something I have not seen in international rugby for a very long time. Scary.

[@pamaerysovershares7373]

Love this guy 😂 he pops off the screen even for the most casual rugby spectator. Just wow! Big fan, a Saffa🇿🇦

[@ryansimms31]

I remember the time when he used to play for the Mighty Chiefs and won the Chiefs 2nd Super Rugby title back in 2013, he was such an amazing Chiefs Player! But I can see that he's doing well with Ireland.

[@poo2764]

Outstanding man outstanding rugby player, end of story. Welcome to Ireland man, and we love you!

[@IrishTechnicalThinker]

Our fighting Uruk Kai. This guy is brilliant and actually consider him Irish because of his heart. Our nation anthem even says, peole who have to come to serve Ireland 'have come beyond the wave'

[@backpackingireland8624]

Lived and worked in Christchurch. The Māori and Pacific Islanders are seriously tough , funny , hard working. Very Irish traits ☘️🇮🇪 Bundee is arguably in top 5 in World

[@KMKM.S94]

Fantastic player

[@jonathantucker9626]

Great piece on bundee

[@brello316]

God I love this man

[@MarnieRua742]

😍😍😍😍 0 seconds ago Time to add a LOVE emoticon on here, just for Bundee. 🥰

[@glenleddy808]

Ireland loves Bundee. That is all.

[@gavahern]

Love Bundee’s energy, so glad he’s here playing for us. He’s an absolute perfect role model for young people.

[@eoghancallaghy2634]

I made a Jersey for my little lad. I had Bundee McAki printed on the back. He loves you Bundee.

[@saml2621]

Haha brilliant! My favourite though was from an Irishman I met in Nantes during the world cup that introduced me to the nickname Bundee O'Aki!

[@Cononized]

🤮🤮 kiwi waster stealing spots and money from an actual Irishman 🤮🤮

[@padraiglocke8844]

Bundeeeee Is a gift from God for Us Irish , I’m a New Yorker blow in , the naysayers are naysayers for a reason!!! shoulder to shoulder ☘️🇺🇸Brilliance analysis from Jamie and BoD!! Pity I’m stuck watching CNBC/Peacock for the Rugby miss The George Hook Days!!!

[@briancostello6892]

I’m Irish Living in America. I have the Irish TV Box So I can Watch Six Nations Rugby 🏉 So Proud Of Irish Rugby Success. And Bundee

[@Eringobragh2024]

He's not ethnically a gael, he cannot be Irish.

[@briancostello6892]

@@Eringobragh2024 Jawzus. You must not Be Ethnically Rugby. Probably GAA Prodigy. Bandee To Me. Is More Irish Than A Lot Of Irish Themselves.

[@63StepA]

Outstanding player which we are grateful to have in the green jersey.👏👏

[@Eringobragh2024]

So should every team just buy in players from any country? Might spoil any meaning or significance international rugby has wouldn't it?

[@63StepA]

No, is my answer to the first question. However , since rugby began players have decided for personal reasons to dictate themselves to their adopted Country. Most of which have been to the elite rugby nations. So are the players at fault or is it the system that's in place ? To answer your second question . I think we all want the best players playing the best rugby possible with pride for the jersey. I don't think there is any player in the professional era who are not 100 percent committed to the team that they play for. It's not all about money, it's about having a dream and ambition to play at the top of rugby. When you play for another country that is not your birth place. I'm sure they are sacrificing more than just money but not having that close connection with family and friends like before. If change is required then let's start with those who benefit from this long before Ireland did.

[@celtic1916]

​@@Eringobragh2024That's sports in general . Work in general. Everyday life in general

[@mamba101]

I genuinely feel honoured that he ours on the green jersey with pride - his story is an Irish one, going to a far off land to do your best. Thanks Bundi!!

[@Finderskeepers.]

Who wouldnt be proud to adopt such a humble and skillful individual. There is a reason he is loved and its not just his rugby.

[@tropical7848]

Us Irish love Bundee. What a player and servant for the country 👍🏼

[@jonathankenny4443]

The greatest. What an amazing player and beautiful person. He is loved

[@jdb9388]

being a Samoan Kiwi like Aki im glad hes enjoying his footy, he found a home that welcomed him and he showed respect by playing at it best, just imagine him and Ma'a Nonu in the centres

[@john6714]

Adored in Ireland. So much heart

[@garyoconnor8421]

Bundy gives every drop of blood sweat and tears for ireland 🍀💯👍

[@TheKennyboy92]

Aki was absolutely sensational in the World Cup. Shows the type of player he is.

[@zombievikinggaming4258]

Of coudse the English media focuses on the one Samoan Kiwi in the team. Their squad is filled with foreigners for decades.

[@DanTheFemaleFootMuncher]

All the'' Irish'' players that scored against NZ in the world cup were from you know NZ and you still lost. LOL unlucky bitter potatoes.

[@aightm8]

​@@DanTheFemaleFootMuncher And how many NZ players are islanders? Ireland and SA had the hardest fixtures in the entire tournament, by far. It is what it is. Ireland has a tiny population, but unlike NZ. It's not even our number 1 or even number 2 sport. It's embarassing that whatever country you are from, Ireland has clapped your cheeks on multiple occasions in recent years.

[@stephenreddin]

Phenomenal player!

[@malahammer]

And we all love you Bundee.

[@TauafiafiIOELU]

He's an Irish man!! Well done, USO

[@saml2621]

Us New Zealanders also love Bundee O'Aki!

[@johnmc3862]

Bundi McKi!

[@kevinryan7669]

And us Irish love Islanders.

[@hellovanite]

​@@kevinryan7669yeah right... as long as they play for Island. Get you're own players otherwise Ireland is just a composite world team.

[@helzleota]

He would've been such a powerhouse and awesome for Samoa, but I've loved seeing and watching him in the green jersey🫰🏽💚💚

[@ConClasher3]

He's a bloody Irish legend through and through. Let's get this back to back grand slam!

[@howardlong9442]

How is he Irish?

[@Eringobragh2024]

He's not ethnically a Gael He cannot be Irish, regardless of how good a player he is. Teams importing any player from anywhere is just going to ruin the national significance of rugby and skewer any sense of meaning international rugby events have

[@samuelpalmer332]

I think I can speak for us all when I say we love Bundee to bits here in Ireland and would be lost without him

[@michaelshanahan4042]

I am Irish and I am so happy bundle has decided to play for Ireland 🇮🇪 what a player and what a man.love the guy and I know the Irish people look on him as one of their own 😊

[@Eringobragh2024]

So if all teams just buy in players from any country, doesn't that ruin the significance of international rugby? People from entirely different nations, acting as though they're from that nation or of that ethnicity? What if all the other teams done this and Ireland just constantly lost as a result? Seems like a dumb idea.

[@Saywhatnow-o3w]

“Sure look “. Class 🇮🇪

[@honahwikeepa2115]

A great Irish poet wrote the greatest Anthem in history. "God defend New Zealand." 🙏💪🇳🇿

[@28copland]

Bundee is an Irish man for what he's done for this country ❤

[@STEOKEO]

He isn't. He is a New Zealand man, born in Auckland, playing for Ireland.

[@PatrickNorton-e3x]

Sure jaysus he sounds like an irish at this point lol

[@Eringobragh2024]

​@@PatrickNorton-e3x so an accent is what makes someone an ethnicity now?

[@celtic1916]

​@@Eringobragh2024NZ accent is a mix with abit of Irish in it amongst others.

[@jusele-ox9rc]

Great player Honourable fella Respect 🇬🇧🍺🍺

[@eugeneduplessis140]

Great interview 🎉 🇿🇦

[@Baz-h9h]

He wasn't good enough to play for All Blacks

[@eugeneduplessis140]

@@Baz-h9h and you are a bitter person that can't celebrate others if it does not suit your narrow minded views.

[@conormcg404]

@@Baz-h9h The all blacks weren’t good enough for him. The AB’s regret it now that’s for sure. Ye keyboard warrior fools will type and talk all day long but at end of day ye are cruel haters and bundee strives off ye. So stay hating

[@ColinGrealy]

I’m Irish born, moved to NZ in my 20s. Am I more Irish than Bundee? He CHOOSE to live in Ireland. As far as I’m concerned, he’s absolutely Irish. Bundee’s a goddamn legend and I love that he plays for us.

[@JTAIT-b7g]

He plays for Ireland but he is not Irish, I went to Manurewa High School with him.

[@ColinGrealy]

@@JTAIT-b7g so Jerry Collins and Joe Rokocoko aren’t kiwis then?

[@JTAIT-b7g]

@@ColinGrealy Both moved to NZ as kids and grew up here, very different to being recruited as fully fledged pro-rugby players. There are over 380k Pacific Islanders living in NZ, 8% of our population, we make no distinction between those born here & those not. Bundee is not Irish, thats just a fact Jack.

[@ColinGrealy]

@@JTAIT-b7g he moved there and is raising his kids there. He’s representing the country… he’s Irish as far as I’m concerned. You’re entitled to your opinion, but it’s really not relevant.

[@STEOKEO]

Yeah of course you are more Irish than him. I dont understand why people find the concept so difficult to understand.

[@reillyd3]

Love Bundee, what a legend of a player, and a man.

[@pamdoherty7141]

He's brilliant player , a lovely person so down to earth a good family man, Ireland loves u to

[@kaizer316]

Couldn't be prouder to have Bundee in the Ireland team he wears that shirt with beaming pride

[@TineBeo]

and right on cue Bundee wins Man of the Match

[@General-yv1lu]

Samoan rugby players also possess a fierce warrior spirit on the field, embodying strength, resilience, and a deep connection to their cultural heritage.

[@aidanmasterson50]

He invested in Ireland and Ireland invested in him. Go Bundee!

[@Eringobragh2024]

He's literally only moved here because they offered him money...

[@aidanmasterson50]

@@Eringobragh2024 must have been fantastic compared to home if he was prepared to move his family half way around the world to the West of Ireland.

[@celtic1916]

​@@Eringobragh2024That's how employment works

[@Mikey__Mike]

We love Bundee here 🇮🇪. I’d love to meet him myself!

[@thoins]

That “sure look” shows you all you need to know! 🇮🇪

[@Eringobragh2024]

Adopting slang or mannerisms doesn't magically change your ethnicity to Gael...

[@thoins]

@@Eringobragh2024 Your Giga Chad “What things? Who cares?” pic tells me all I need to know about you, lad. Byeeeee

[@Eringobragh2024]

​Seems you already know "all you need to know" about everything... Yet you can't explain how you simply enjoy the commodity of a non-ethnic Gael using our slang or mannerisms as a novelty yet it does not make someone Irish by magically changing their ethnicity...

[@marctorrades1760]

Tremendous world cup 2023 for Bundee , whooaaa what a player .

[@CaughtInp]

Bro Islanders look good in that color. Well done Bundee. I played against you in college!

[@philipmccarthy6175]

Bundee is just an all-round top man & one hell of a rugby player.

[@scribblescratch3011]

Awesome player, this man is tuned hard fast and strong

[@CaseyIE]

I respect peoples opinions on immigration, but this man could've played for the best team in the world at the time - NZ. And chose to come play in and for Ireland instead. He loves this country. The perfect player and immigrant. Bundee represents Ireland better than most native countryman and has all of my love and respect as a result.

[@Dreyno]

He was used as a crash ball centre by Ireland. He was always better than just that. Connacht were getting far more passing and offloads from him. Ireland only started using his abilities more recently.

[@LFire12]

This!! It's bizarre! I'm a Leinster fan who suffered through that Pro 12 final loss, but that aside I loved every second of that Connacht season and a huge reason for it was Aki and Henshaw's partnership. These media types who go on about him being a 'crash ball' merchant have the memories of gold fish. Aki was phenomenal in setting up others that season. His off loads were things of beauty, and it's lovely to see them show up for Irealnd more and more.

[@Dreyno]

@@LFire12 Exactly. He had a very rounded game but his bulk and power was what people focused on. McCloskey has great hands too but people see him as a battering ram because he’s big.

[@SmcdMcd-d2k]

Thank you Bundee

[@thelolguy007]

Pat Lam at 2.14 ‘he was better than what they had’. Of course he was. That’s the thing about Sport. It doesn’t care about colour, race, background etc. Sport is about merit. It’s earned. He’s not getting on the Irish team without huge talent. And he’s shown it to us time and time again. It’s safe to say we love ya Bundee 💚🇮🇪👊

[@STEOKEO]

Yeah but that should apply to club Rugby. International Rugby should be the best of ours vs the best of yours. Otherwise what's the point? Especially when you see them returning to their home countries once the career is over....such as CJ Stander, Isaac Boss etc. They dont stick around in their "adopted" country. Its all a bit silly.

[@raymomull2258]

Bundee, you legend

[@dadofchampions]

And this headline of ‘Sth Pacific > Connacht’ is central to the Irish and European rugby medias perpetuation of the myth the AB’s poach from the Pacific Islands. Bundee Aki born 7 April 1990 in AUCKLAND, NZ. He’s as Kiwi as Dan Carter.

[@LFire12]

Umm...isn't NZ located in the Sth Pacific?

[@dadofchampions]

Nah, Irish rugby media don’t like acknowledging NZ why Bundee for them is from the ‘Sth Pacific’ referencing his Samoan heritage and not his place of birth.

[@hunha991]

Exactly, they call it the South Pacific when they want to paint a different narrative

[@falkhammermuller9342]

Best irish players ever: Paul O'Connell, Brian O'Driscoll, Peter O'Mahony, Donncha O'Callaghan, Ronan O'Gara, Bundee O'Aki

[@karlosdeevs]

..Sexton, Best, Earls, Bowe and Trimble. That’s the team of us!

[@edconway8599]

No Keith wood or sexton? That’s a piss take

[@falkhammermuller9342]

@@edconway8599 you didn't get the joke mate

[@Omahagan]

Love this man I don’t think he’ll be able to but I hope he can play in the next World Cup

[@kennethhammond4028]

One of many good kiwi players showing the world how rugby should be played.

[@3saok]

We LOVE that man. He plays like is irish thru and thru 😊😊😊😊😊❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Eringobragh2024]

"like" Irish doesn't make you Irish He will never be ethnically Gael

[@3saok]

I said like !! U u spud😂

[@3saok]

​@@Eringobragh2024. Shut up u hump 😂

[@dr7858]

Legend 💪

[@darylshanley2674]

Best of men. Imagine them boys up in Leitrim in the bog middle of summer. I’d be proud

[@captlee3732]

To lreland being knocked out in the WC quarter finals😂 pure class 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@SBW_85]

Two Samoans showing ireland how to play quality rugby 🇼🇸

[@daveburnham9111]

From Waikato New Zealand to the North Atlantic.

[@stiofain88]

He's very welcome in Ireland.

[@Eringobragh2024]

True, but doesn't make him an ethnic Gael

[@kudajr]

You'd be nuts not to love Bundee and what he does.

[@petersonny3735]

Favourite Irish player, will never forget the try against All Blacks in 23 World Cup

[@KiwiGraggle]

And I will never forget the ABs silencing Ireland again, lol.

[@DjBulletsmadden]

He’s definitely the best player on the Irish team n in my opinion one of the best in the world 🇮🇪🇮🇪🫡🫡

[@KernowekTim]

Bundi is a good man. He is an asset to any Nation. I am delighted that he chose Ireland. Bundi is hugely loved in Kernow. too.🏴‍☠☘

[@tagaloa2798]

He could play for Samoa or the all blacks. But he’s doing very well where he is. Goat Fua Leiofi. Respect to the Uso.

[@barrymcbrearty7092]

That man is our legend I don't care what people say he is irish

[@decdillon7389]

👏👏👏👏👏❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪

[@themurph36]

Bundee is a legend

[@rosscoghlan]

Class act.

[@irishmal1]

He should be Captain.

[@karlosdeevs]

soon..

[@johnarthurscott]

We love him in Ireland

[@pirate3599]

As an ABs supporter, well done Bundee

[@tamapere9877]

Bundle is best Samoa hero ❤

[@user-bm1kg8zt6u]

The ones who criticise him are the one who don’t do anything for Ireland but complain. I’ve seen him so emotional when he wore that green jersey and proud of the Irish flag. Shot bro 👍🏻

[@VunterSlaush1650]

You have to be doing something right to have Roberts and O'Driscol both admiring something different about your game.

[@karlosdeevs]

Both of ’em along with Nonu and Conrad Smith all benchmark centres, and now Aki joins the list

[@JohnHallett5846isaPrick]

Why couldn't you entitle this as "from New Zealand", the South Pacific is huge?