We had presumed this one had been resolved. That may not be the case.
Connacht fans have truly been on a rollercoaster [that sporting cliché] for the past 18 months and there’s no slowing down.
Pat Lam may be off to Bristol next season but there are some immediate issues that take precedence – two crucial Champions Cup fixtures, not getting cut adrift in the PRO12 and an aching injury crisis.
One of the plethora of injured Connacht players, right now, includes Bundee Aki. The Kiwi centre is currently recovering from ankle surgery and not expected back until mid February.
Typical of Aki, and the courageous, all-in player he is, he had to be persuaded to go under the surgeon’s knife at such a crucial stage of the season.
Whether or not Aki is still pouring each and every ounce of himself into the Connacht cause beyond this summer remains to be seen. Aki has signed a new contract with the province and IRFU but his latest comments, to freelance reporter John Fallon, would hardly fill supporters with confidence. He said:
“I literally do not know what I want to do at the end of the season, or who I want to play for. First off, I need to make sure that Connacht do well.”
Short-term, Aki is going to give it his all. Beyond that, he is not planting a flag.
It was all looking so good as recently as last month too. Perhaps Aki, who is eligible to play for Ireland next season, has had some time to reflect on matters.
