Dec 18,2024
Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins believes Bundee Aki's new contract is a hugely important piece of business for the province.
The Ireland international had been the subject of speculation around a summer move to French side Toulon, but is one of four players who have agreed new central contracts with the IRFU this week, along with Leinster trio James Ryan, Andrew Porter and Tadhg Furlong.
Aki has played 142 times for Connacht since joining from New Zealand’s Chiefs in 2014, and his new contract will bring him up to the summer of 2026, by which time he’ll have spent 12 years in Ireland.
After qualifying on residency, the powerful centre made his Ireland debut against South Africa in 2017, and he has gone on to win 60 caps, as well as touring with the British and Irish Lions in 2021.
"Fantastic news. Great for Connacht and great for Irish rugby," Wilkins said.
Aki (34) will be 36-years-old when his contract extension expires, but the Connacht head coach believes the New Zealand native is getting better with age.
"In terms of Bundee's strengths, I think everything you see out on the field probably goes without saying. The key thing that he brings to our environment is that calm head and that experience from playing in some of the biggest games and the biggest occasions.
"I think when he's on the field for us, if we get into situations, whether it's a good period of momentum in the game where we're getting up ahead of steam or whether it's a period where we may be struggling and perhaps conceded points, or the referee is going against us, he gives that calmness.
"Anyone can tell players to settle down and get on with the next job. But when it comes from someone who's excelled at the very, very top level and seen it and done it, I think it comes with far greater gravitas and has a much bigger impact on the group.
"So, he's using that voice more and more within the group, and it's an incredibly important bit of our growth of how we handle those kind of occasions."
Just two years ago, it looked like Aki’s days at the province were numbered when he was dropped for Cathal Forde ahead of the Christmas period, while there were rumours of a possible move to Munster due to a breakdown in his relationship with then-coach Andy Friend.
"I feel like I've always got on well with Bundee since I arrived as defence coach (in 2017), Wilkins added..
"As a defence coach, they 9the centre] are the guys you speak to a lot about the game, in terms of giving them feedback, but also picking their brains, in terms of how you think the team systems are going.
"He's a good guy, and I think his heart is in the right place in terms of what he wants to achieve for Connacht and for Ireland.
"For me, it's just about tapping into that and where I could help him, but also be open enough to utilise his experience and his opinions."
Aki is likely to return to action this Saturday in the province’s BKT United Rugby Championship meeting with Leinster at Aviva Stadium.
The centre was rested for the Challenge Cup wins against Zebre and Perpignan, and is now available to start both Christmas Interpros against Leinster and Ulster, along with Mack Hansen, Finlay Bealham and Cian Prendergast.
The Christmas schedule appears to be kinder on the provinces, who will enjoy a weekend off on 3-5 January, although Wilkins says the next two results will dictate their mood heading into the break.
"I think the scheduling's more helpful than it has been in previous years.
"I think knowing that we've got these two Interpros with Leinster and Ulster either side of Christmas, that frames it nicely.
"It means that you can have probably a couple of days off for Christmas to recharge, having got the bulk of your work done in advance of that for the Ulster game. And then you get a chance, you said, to draw a breath before we get into the final games of this block. So it is beneficial."
There was mixed news on the injury front for Wilkins' side, who can welcome out-half Josh Ioane and versatile back Piers O’Conor back from respective ankle and hamstring injuries this week.
However, Shayne Bolton looks set to be sidelined until the end of January due to his foot injury, as is Sean O’Brien who picked up a thigh injury in Sunday’s win against Perpignan.
Wing Andrew Smith could be out for up to two months after undergoing surgery on a thumb injury.
