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Aki hoping to achieve 'proud' moment against Samoa
Bundee Aki insists he will treat facing his fatherland Samoa exactly the same way he took on New Zealand in November.
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The Ireland juggernaut centre admitted it would be a source of huge family pride should he get the nod to take on Samoa in Fukuoka on Saturday.
Aki was born in Auckland to Samoan parents and starred with the Chiefs before joining Connacht in 2014, committing to Ireland in both rugby and community.
The 29-year-old conjured a barnstorming performance when Ireland dispatched New Zealand 16-9 in Dublin in November, producing the perfect riposte to All Blacks coach Ian Foster who had questioned his residency qualification.
Aki acts as an emotional touchstone for this Ireland squad, his physicality crucial to Joe Schmidt’s side – and he has declared himself ready to repeat that stunning All Blacks showing if he rolls out against Samoa.
“That would be a proud moment, if I do get to that stage,” said Aki.
.@AllBlacks perform fierce haka at #RWC2019 #NZLvNAM pic.twitter.com/deB6xjVnTy
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 6, 2019
“But I would treat it exactly the same as the way I focused on playing against New Zealand as well.
“I’ve just got to try and focus on what I can do best for the team first, and we’ll see how we go this week and hopefully I can help the team put in a good performance.”
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Foster said of Aki “he looks like an Irishman now doesn’t he” in a quip that backfired in November, and then the 22-cap centre entered the World Cup with more residency rule criticism ringing in his ears.
Aki continues to brush off his critics in mature and composed style however, insisting everyone is entitled to an opinion but doubtless not agreeing with his detractors.
Samoa would have no criticism for Aki, with the Pacific Island nations understanding of those who share their bloodline supporting families and communities by trotting the globe.
Asked if facing the Test teams with whom he shares heritage brings out the best in him, Aki said: “I think I’ve alluded to it plenty already about the residency rule, and look everybody has their own opinion like I said; they have a right to do that.
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'Whenever we’re training Joe likes to push the intensity and really build it which is obviously class for us as players, you get that intensity that’s almost like a match'https://t.co/K2kb6tQjSr
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 5, 2019
“But for me I’m just going to try to do the best I can for this jersey, try to play well and if I get the chance to play on the field I’ll try my best to do everyone proud as I always do.
“So I’ll just try to play as well as I can, that’s all I can do as a player.”
Head coach Joe Schmidt handed his weary players the weekend off in a bid to refresh minds and bodies.
The Kiwi boss insisted that Ireland will not use any of their time ahead of Samoa as preparation for a potential quarter-final against New Zealand or South Africa.
Is there room at the inn for Japan?
There should be.
– writes @alexshawsport #rwc2019 https://t.co/MTaEJ8gAIw
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 5, 2019
“I do think we’ve got to take it one game at a time, particularly having lost to Japan,” said Schmidt.
“So we will set our sights on Samoa because we need to win there to have a chance of qualifying and as I said if we get a win with a little bit more we know we’re in a quarter-final, we control that ourselves.
“And in the end, when you get to a quarter-final everything hinges on the quarter-final itself.
“It becomes very much a one-off game and one thing I learned from last time at the World Cup is that you can be on an upswing but things can change if you’ve got injuries or you’ve got a little bit of a confidence hit because you’ve got a number of new guys in.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Hey. Stay home and play for Mooloo.
1 Go to commentsTighthead was always going to be our weakness this year with Ryan going home to Ireland and the Cashed Up Blues taking a third All Black prop from us - nobody else in SR does that. Numia is the exciting one. He used to be a lightweight but he's really improved. Do you have stats on the All Black hookers’ lineouts for the game? I seem to remember a few misses.
2 Go to commentsFergus Burke isn't tier 1 player quality…but guess what, he'll be playing amongst them for Saracens…. all going well and Steve Borthwick is still the head coach, England...Scott Robertson’s hint of amending NZRU’s offshore AB eligibility clause, would mean that players like Josh Moorby who show potential might get a call…
4 Go to commentsThe movement of quality players back to SA is remarkable.
2 Go to commentsInteresting article, Nic. Am enjoying seeing the Rebels doing well, partly just to spite those who are working to wipe them off the face of the Australian rugby planet. But it is also good to see a team with somany good players beginning fire. LSL has benefitted so much from his move up to Northampton for the one year. I wonder why he did not stay on for another year. Does he now looks north and see his teammates of last year now doing so well, and have some regrets.
44 Go to comments“Over 80% of the World Cup squad are over 30” No it isn’t lol
2 Go to commentsTyrel Lomax the best AB prop since Carl Hayman. Absolutely destroyed the Boks in RWC Final and is monstering allcomers in Super this season. Should be a monster battle vs touring Poms, always deliver a power pack.
2 Go to commentsEye gouging seems like such a strong term for what can only be described as a poke in the eye. When I think of eye gouging I think of someone trying to intentionally pop someone’s eyeball out. it’s like calling a high-tackle attempted decapitation.
3 Go to commentsGreat article. No insights to add, just wanted to say that. :)
1 Go to commentsLeinster are going to win the world cup.
13 Go to commentsSuper Rugby desperately needs to lose at least 2, but up to 4 teams. Rebels quietly going bankrupt would have made that a bit easier. Teams like the Rebels and Force serve only to weaken Australian Rugby and Super Rugby more widely. In 13 years in the comp the Rebels are yet to win more games than they lose in a season, have never finished in the top half of the competition, and have come dead last a number of times. The Western Force, barring a brief stint of mediocrity under John Mitchell from 2007-2009 have been even worse. Sadly it’s hard to see a future for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. Likewise I think the writing is on the wall for the Highlanders, it’s hard to see how NZ rugby can continue to support 5 SR teams, and population distribution suggests one team in the south island would make the most sense.
44 Go to commentsNice that Connor Evans is happy to stay on here, that JD Schikerling is returning and Steven Kitshoff. Dobbo is careful to bring back just anybody but having a new financial lease of life, it has made the Stormers a more attractive club. On top of being good quality, having the financial backing helps a lot
1 Go to commentsEngland-qualified too, I believe.
1 Go to commentsThis might turn out to be emblematic of a real issue in Irish rugby. Ireland have one of the best -if not the best - senior sides in the world, and one of the best under 20s sides as well, but don’t seem to be giving graduating under20s players many opportunities to break through into URC starting lineups. There is a risk that a lot of the junior talent they are developing will either be wasted, or lost to other nations.
1 Go to commentsYou ask good questions, Nick. The group who have put together the proposal to play out of Tarneit and participate in the growing of the ground’s capacity are not a bunch of white knights who have been dragged in post-crisis; they were around whilst the Rebels accummulated $23m in debt. Why do we come up with ideas that might make the franchise affordable after it’s broke and not when it might have prevented the trainwreck this offseason was? As for Gordon/Kellaway v Lolesio/Wright, they are both good options. I think the former are better rugby players but the goal kicking of Noah may be decisive when Schmiddy makes his choices. I know Harry Jones has the hots for Edmed but I think it’s one of his few poor choices and he and Jorgensen aren’t close to the other pairs. By coincidence, the wife and I went into town over the weekend to watch Brian Cox and Patricia Clarkson in Long Day’s Journey into Night. Beautifully acted but it was 3.5 hours in the chair and very hard work. Like the Rebels, there were only small bursts of joy to go with a lot of bad news and a depressing story line. In the end, I was hoping it would end and I could give my sore butt a break. Again, familiar.
44 Go to commentsGood decision, very good player but not international quality. But so was Jamison Gibson Park …..
4 Go to commentsLoose forwards always look good going forward and winning. It’s the same loose forwards for the Crusaders and the Canes this year as last year. Too much of the shiny new things getting noticed here while older consistent ones getting bagged. It’s early days. Calm the farm.
8 Go to commentsThanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
44 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
8 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
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