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Ireland centre Bundee Aki ends speculation with decision over future
By Josh Raisey
Ireland centre Bundee Aki has signed a one-year contract extension with Connacht and the Irish Rugby Football Union which will run until the end of the 2025/26 season.
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The 34-year-old’s contract was due to expire at the end of this season, and French outlet Midi Olympique had reported that Toulon were lining him up to replace Leicester Fainga’anuku, who is returning to New Zealand next season in a bid to kick-start his international career.
But the 60-cap international has committed to Ireland for another year, just weeks after becoming an Irish citizen.
The deal will also extend Aki’s stay with Connacht to 12 years, where he has made 142 appearances and won a Pro12 title along the way.
Aki has been one of Ireland’s standout stars in recent years – being nominated for the World Rugby men’s XVs player of the year in 2023 – and still appears to have plenty to give in a green jersey, and indeed a red British and Irish Lions jersey at the end of the season.
“I am delighted to extend my contract with the IRFU and am excited about competing for Ireland and Connacht for the coming seasons,” Aki said after signing the deal.
“I love playing rugby in Ireland and believe that this is the right environment for me to progress as a player. I would like to thank the IRFU for their support and I’m excited for what the future holds in green in the years ahead.”
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IRFU performance director David Humphreys added: “Bundee has displayed a consistently high level of performance for club and country in recent years and we are delighted to extend his deal.
“We believe that Bundee has a lot more to offer on the field and has a big role in helping to develop the next batch of exciting youngsters out West in Connacht and within the wider Ireland panel.”
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Understandably with age perhaps a slight drop in form?
Still remains world class and it’s great to see players performing in the backs at his age
i am delighted that bundee aki has extended his contract with the irfu and i think he is a great influence on the new players with his distribution of the ball
At age 34 Aki has maybe 2 international seasons left to him and even now he is not quite the dynamic star he once was. Fainganuku a possible replacement but it seems he may return to NZ and Razor would welcome him back to bolster his currently sketchy midfield.
Fainga’anuku is indeed returning in 2026 and has signed with the Crusaders
He will be welcomed back and was a good performer at the World Cup and in the quarterfinal
Then was dropped for the final!
He is a little slow to turn and in midfield that could be an issue
Defence is one of Rieko and Jordies strong points and at this level as long as the backs are scoring tries and the midfield lets in little that’s good for me
I’m still a little meh about our midfield attacking threats though and LF would provide a good attacking threat with his carries like Aki
Proctor looks good but hardly a line breaker
Bundee has more than one good season left him. Maybe Ireland can entice Leicester to come over. It blows my mind that NZ has all this talent scattered around the world that can’t play for NZ unless they go back to play there. The ABs would be unbeatable if they opened that door. Their domestic league would definitely suffer.
The Irish rugby mindset.....zero loyalty.