AKI
Bundellu

• 1. International career
• 1.1. Ireland call-up
• 1.2. Ireland career
• 1.3. British & Irish Lions

Fua Leiofi Bundellu Aki is a professional rugby union player who plays as a centre for United Rugby Championship club Connacht. Born in New Zealand, he represents Ireland at international level after qualifying on residency grounds.

International career

Ireland call-up

Aki was qualified to play for New Zealand, where he was born and raised, and Samoa, the country of origin of his parents. However, after completing a three-year residency period, he became eligible to represent Ireland on the international stage.

On 26 October 2017, Aki was named in the extended Ireland squad for the Autumn internationals. His inclusion came at a time when a growing number of players were qualifying to play for a foreign nation based on the three-year residency rule, which sparked a huge debate about eligibility rules in rugby union.

Parts of the media stated that he had no real connection with Ireland, was getting in the way of Irish talent going through the ranks, and questioned loyalty issues should Aki decide to move abroad after his contract was over thus ending his international career. His selection was criticised by some former internationals, including Neil Francis and Luke Fitzgerald, who was generally critical of the residency rule, but supported by others including Alan Quinlan Simon Easterby, and Chris Farrell. Other rugby figures, including Conor Murray, and former Ireland head coach Eddie O'Sullivan, whilst critical of the residency rule, felt it was unfair individual players such as Aki to be singled out for criticism. Aki acknowledged the criticism, admitting that a big part of his motivation to move to Ireland was to play international rugby, and noted that he hoped that he could do the country proud with his on-field performance.

Ireland career

Aki made his debut for Ireland in the 38–3 win against South Africa at the Aviva Stadium on 11 November 2017, playing the full 80 minutes. Two weeks later he played against Argentina, again featuring for the entire match in a 28–19 win.

In the 2018 Six Nations, Aki was the only centre to feature in every game for Ireland as they won the Grand Slam. Injuries to centre partners Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw and Chris Farrell meant that Aki started every match and was only replaced in the final game against England due to injury. He was also part of the team's end-of season tour of Australia, which saw Ireland win a test series against Australia for the first time since 1979.

Aki continued to be a regular starter for Ireland in the 2018–19 season. On 17 November 2018, he started against his native New Zealand in a 16–9 win. This was Ireland's first victory over the All Blacks on home soil. Aki also featured in all five of Ireland's games in the 2019 Six Nations, as they finished third in a disappointing defence of their Grand Slam title.

In September 2019, Aki was named in the Irish squad for the upcoming World Cup. He started Ireland's opening game against Scotland, but was removed after only 20 minutes in the 27–3 win due to a head injury. This injury caused him to miss the next game against Japan, which ended in a shock 19–12 defeat to leave Ireland in danger of elimination. Aki returned to the starting lineup for the following game against Russia, and also started the final pool match against over Samoa but was sent off in the 29th minute of the 47–5 win. The red card resulted in a three-game suspension, ruling Aki out of the remainder of the tournament. Ireland were eliminated in the next round, as New Zealand ran out 46–14 victors in the quarter-finals.

Aki was banned for four games after receiving a red card for a high tackle on Billy Vunipola in Ireland's 32–18 win against England in the 2021 Six Nations Championship on 20 March.

He was called up to be part of the Irish squad for the 2023 Six Nations Championship which went on to win their fourth Grand Slam. In August 2023, he was selected to be in Ireland's World Cup squad ahead of the 2023 World Cup in France.

British & Irish Lions

On 6 May 2021, Aki was named in the squad for the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa. He made his test debut on 7 August 2021 in the final test. South Africa won the final test 19–16 and the series by two games to one.