Last month, French reports claiming Toulon were preparing a big-money move for Bundee Akicaused quite a stir among Connacht and Ireland fans.
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The speculation suggested Aki could leave for the Top 14 giants at the end of this season, but details surrounding his contract painted a different picture.
Contract Clarity
Initial reports indicated Aki was tied to Connacht until 2025. However, it soon emerged that the IRFU had triggered an extension clause, keeping the powerhouse centre under contract until 2026.
But that doesn’t mean Toulon won’t make a play for him next summer. At that point, Aki will be 35, and any move would likely involve a release fee. For now, Aki isn’t giving much away about his long-term future, confirming only that his current deal runs until the end of next season.
“The situation right now is to play for Connacht, to play with Ireland, that’s all I’ve got to say,” Aki remarked.
Ready for Redemption
After being left out of last week’s win over Argentina, Aki has been recalled to the midfield for this Saturday’s clash at the Aviva Stadium. The omission followed what Aki himself admitted was a sub-par performance in Ireland’s loss to New Zealand.
The Connacht star opened up about his honest conversation with head coach Andy Farrell after being dropped.
“It’s a healthy, honest relationship with Faz,” Aki shared. “You take it on the chin. You’ve just got to be better, to nullify your mistakes, and to be a better person and rugby player.”
Team-First Mentality
Aki embraced his supporting role last week, helping his teammates prepare for the Argentina test. “I had a different role last week, which was to prepare the boys for the game, and I enjoyed that. It was good to see them thrive, the way they played.”
For Aki, it’s all about the collective effort, especially within Ireland’s tight-knit group of centres.
“Whoever is playing or not playing, we’re out there to help each other out and put our best foot forward because these days, anything can happen,” he explained.
As Aki gears up for another opportunity to shine, his focus is clear—lead by example and keep the team first, no matter the role.
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