The Connacht centre is four games into his Ireland career and off the try-scoring mark.
Bundee Aki is well into the groove with Ireland now.
Joe Schmidt will perhaps be happier with his post-game comments than the excellent on-field performance of the 27-year-old against Italy. Aki had a first half try and assist two others and he looked truly at home at Test level, albeit against a poor Italian side.
“We’re very happy with the result of that game but, as you can see, there is a lot of stuff we need to work on.”
That said by Aki after a 56-19 victory. Every bit the good Schmidt soldier.
Aki has been four years in Ireland now and became qualified to represent his country of residence last autumn. As a native New Zealander, there were grumblings of discontent and negative media commentaries about his wearing the green jersey, last November, but that storm seems to have passed. It will recede further with each and every committed performance for Ireland.
Following the game, Aki spoke fantastically well about what his first Ireland try meant to him. He told SportsJOE:
“I was just so happy to be able to get over the line and help out the boys, and to get the score on the board was a bonus. To get my first try for this team is something special.
“The crowd has always been unbelievable and loud, and for getting behind us. I think that’s the great thing about putting on the Irish jersey – that the supporters here are very passionate about their team and that is one thing we really take [from them]. The supporters are the 16th man for us.”
Aki says he did not allow himself to dwell on his scoring achievement for too long.
“You’ve just got to park that,” he said, “and focus on the next job, which is receiving the kick-off and make sure you are doing the right thing on the next play.
“There’s no point trying to celebrate the try then do something wrong the next time. You’ve just got to make sure you park it, move on and do things right the next time.”
Humble to a fault, Aki dismissed suggestions that his try had established him as a Test centre.
“As you can see on our team, there are a lot of quality players and you can’t take anything for granted. You have to make sure you are putting your head down, working, improving and putting your hand up to take that spot again.”
