Aki article on his move to Connacht:

Wearing a green jersey, rather than black or blue, is Bundee Aki's future ambition.

Three years from now, the power-packed Chiefs second five-eighth hopes to represent Ireland. Not the All Blacks or Samoa. Ireland.

This is a trend that will continue, too. Celtic clubs are fast identifying what they term New Zealand's project players – athletes they can secure early and groom into international stars. That way, they can compete on a different recruitment level with the riches in France.

In his debut season with the Chiefs last year, Aki started 12 games. He was on the All Blacks' radar but will soon be lost to New Zealand rugby at the age of 24.

Hurricanes and Taranaki fullback Andre Taylor, 26, falls into the same category – a player leaving for Japan at arguably the peak of his career.

Aki and Taylor represent key losses, highlighting the erosion of valuable second-tier depth.

Their respective defections cut deeper than those who move on towards the latter stages of their careers. These are young, home-grown players on the rise.

Aki, in particular, is considered a genuine talent, who has real potential to kick on.

After chasing another title with the Chiefs and finishing up with Counties Manukau this year, he will instead take his partner and two children and join former Blues coach Pat Lam at Irish club Connacht.

And after serving there for three years, Aki hopes to play his way into the Irish national team – coached by New Zealanders Joe Schmidt and John Plumtree – on residency grounds.

It is the same pathway former Blues and Crusaders utility Jared Payne has followed.

Sonny Bill Williams' return to the Chiefs next year played a role in Aki's decision but, ultimately, the move is about setting himself up long-term and ensuring he will be able to give his family the best possible life.

"It was a really tough decision.

"It's a long commitment. I put a lot of thought into it, looking at my options in terms of international rugby," Aki told Fairfax Media after returning from shoulder surgery and six months of rehab in the Chiefs' scrappy 22-16 win over the Melbourne Rebels on Saturday night.

"Obviously the All Blacks have got their midfielders and with Sonny coming back, it's a not a bad thing for me to go. Hopefully, if I do the hard yards over there, good things will come."

Aki has always harnessed a level-headed approach. In 2010, he took one year out to work in a bank to support his family, sacrificing rugby progression in the process.

"Family is everything for me," he said. While he does not expect anything to be handed to him on a platter, the lure of the Irish jersey is now a clear motivator.

"That's a big part of my decision to move," he said. "Hopefully when the time is right and if I'm playing good footy, hopefully I can play for the Ireland international team.

"I've got to play well before that though. I'm eligible for Samoa.

"That was another big decision for myself – to see if I would play for them or not. If I play three years over there and it doesn't go well, I can always go back to Samoa.

"They are a good international team as well but I'm just trying to look after my family and myself."

This is clearly not a rash decision.

Financial security and the prospect of regular tier-one international footy were defining factors.

After talking with former Chiefs captain Craig Clarke, who is joined by fellow Kiwi forwards Nathan White and Rodney Ah You at Connacht, Aki's mind was made up.

"It will be different for us as a family but we'll enjoy it when we get there."

Delighted with the new signing and possible the best timed announcement ever! Aki will arrive after his ITM commitments which means he won't be over til the Autumn Internationals. In effect he'll miss the first 9 games of next season so McShaz will be very much key to Lam's plans, potentially with Henshaw involved in the AI's it could be December before we get the chance to see Aki & Henshaw in midfield together (Visa's willing).

With Brian Murphy unlikely to be retained unless we recruit another center I could imagine Ronaldson might well have to be used to cover the 12 slot for the start of next year.

Really hope the news is positive for Clarke, to loss three players to retirement in one season would be incredibly unlucky even by our standards. I was hoping if the results are unclear, Craig can take 12 months off perhaps in a coaching capacity and we reassess the situation in a years time.

swift4prez wrote: Finally puts the whole henshaw leaving to bed. God i was getting sick of that Bulls**T

Lam on player movement
13th April 2014

Following the announcement yesterday that Super Rugby centre Bundee Aki has signed for Connacht on three year deal, Head Coach Pat Lam today reiterated that the Chiefs’ back is a direct replacement for the outgoing Eoin Griffin (London Irish) and Kyle Tonetti (retired).

“Obviously we had to look at signing a midfielder when we knew we’d be without Griffin and Tonetti next year. We also anticipate that Robbie (Henshaw) will be away in camp during the international windows and we have to make sure we are covered in that area.

“There has been a lot of talk in the last week about the possibility of Robbie leaving Connacht for another Irish province. Robbie signed a new deal this season that says he will be playing at the Sportsground until 2016 at least. He showed that he is happy here playing with his home province. There are no plans for him to move before then.

“The IRFU have been very supportive of Connacht and what we are trying to achieve here. I have a very good relationship with Joe (Schmidt) and there are good lines of communication between us. We talk regularly on games and players and he is especially supportive of the Connacht rugby programme going forward.

“We look forward to confirming some more player signings in the coming weeks for the 2014/15 season.”

Yep I hear ya, it's like as we don't even exist when they take a shine to our players...

It was absolutely never going to happen though once he had re-signed, Henshaw's ours under Irish and EC labour laws. The IRFU don't want central contracts (the only way they'd have the power to shift him if he and/or Connacht wasn't in agreement). Ignore other provinces trying to blow smoke up your behind, (unless you want to have fun at their expense of course), then dive in. The meeja do what the meeja do, latch on to some power-crazed but deluded blazer's rantings to sell papers..

I'm still not sure which province I want to be more desperate for Robbie (and Kieran) though. If he does eventually go I want to see their blood on the walls over him. :evil: :evil: .
Well look we might as well get some enjoyment out of it..No?

Finally puts the whole henshaw leaving to bed. God i was getting sick of that Bulls**T

Lam on player movement
13th April 2014

Following the announcement yesterday that Super Rugby centre Bundee Aki has signed for Connacht on three year deal, Head Coach Pat Lam today reiterated that the Chiefs’ back is a direct replacement for the outgoing Eoin Griffin (London Irish) and Kyle Tonetti (retired).

“Obviously we had to look at signing a midfielder when we knew we’d be without Griffin and Tonetti next year. We also anticipate that Robbie (Henshaw) will be away in camp during the international windows and we have to make sure we are covered in that area.

“There has been a lot of talk in the last week about the possibility of Robbie leaving Connacht for another Irish province. Robbie signed a new deal this season that says he will be playing at the Sportsground until 2016 at least. He showed that he is happy here playing with his home province. There are no plans for him to move before then.

“The IRFU have been very supportive of Connacht and what we are trying to achieve here. I have a very good relationship with Joe (Schmidt) and there are good lines of communication between us. We talk regularly on games and players and he is especially supportive of the Connacht rugby programme going forward.

“We look forward to confirming some more player signings in the coming weeks for the 2014/15 season.”

I have faith in Lam's choices especially after him signing Heenan yes Solialo was a bust but that seemed more with the players state of mind rather than his skills. The Sunday Times today confirmed we're in talks with Muliania that doesn't mean he'll come by any stretch but it's nice to be linked with such a great player.

Saw the Chiefs game yesterday, there are far better on this forum to analyse a player, but here are the bits I did notice about our new signing....

(First of all, terrible terrible game)

Aki is just back from injury but lasted the full 80.

He made ground when used at 12 for crash ball. Also carried well and made a few breaks & half-breaks in the 13 channel. Doesn't look to have much of an offloading game.

The starting 9 for the Chiefs had a great break but therefore tended to spend a lot of time at the bottom of rucks. Aki stood in as scrum half when this happened (lots in the first half) very well.

He had a couple knock ons, one when he'd made a break and been tackled, the ball was knocked on as support arrived to the ruck, not 100% sure it was him; second was on the line when catching the ball would have given him a surefire try. Replays (and Aki's response to the scrum half) showed the ball had been fired at his head.

Defensively he was hardly ever defending the 12 channel. Whichever scrum had the put in was generally under pressure, so ball was generally scrappy with a tackle and ruck almost on top of the scrum. Unfortunately the only channel-12 ball he had to defend he missed the tackle for a 50 metre loss of territory.

With the typical Super XV wide-wide attack from the Rebels, the Chiefs stuck the 2 centres at either end of the defensive line, so he spent the whole day defending the 13 channel, usually on the left side of the field. Didn't miss any tackles there, his defensive understanding with Muliaina at left wing was excellent, and only stepped out of the line twice to put in 2 brilliant hits. First one he stopped his opponent, ripped the ball clean off him, and took off up the wing; second one he smashed the guy and forced a knockon. He also chased down a dropped ball from the Rebels and nearly dumped a Rebels man over his own goal-line, however the support went over the top and a penalty was conceded.

Hard to make any conclusions from only one game, but he looked a good signing on yesterday's evidence.

I want McSharry in the team next year too, but his track record with injuries is awful. If Parks is leaving then the messing around of Ronaldson as a makeshift 12 has to stop.

I know we can't know anything just off a highlight reel, but I love how Aki runs with his head up looking for the support players. He and Poolman, when fit, could be an incredible double act as they both seem to really know how to both support and look for the offload.

Bottom line is if McSharry is considered our second best 12 option next year then by definition that means we've improved that position.

I think McSharry is a good player but he's so injury prone that having a guy like Aki who can play there is a massive plus. You have to factor in that McSharry will miss a couple of games a season with his injury record so maybe having him and Aki rotating might save McSharry a small bit.

I know it's the common point of view for a vast majority, but that's why I gave my solution... I believe McSharry is a key player, wasn't bad even yesterday, just need a little more time to be back to the Biarritz-2012 level, I want him in the team next year...

I'd say next season it will be Aki at 12 and Henshaw at 13 with hopefully the likes of Leader,Layden or TOH going to 15.

I'd really think Aki should be moved to 13, he seems to more pace and speed than power and physicality... Mc Sharry 12, Henshaw 15 if everybody is fit..

fatgav wrote: I've also already seen the 'surely this means henshaw should go to munster/leinster' suggestions as a result of this too

If fans of other teams can't be bothered to inform themselves about the loss of Griffen and Tonnetti, as well as the So'oialo shaped hole we've had all season, then that's their problem.

Does the capture of Aki have any repercussions for McSharry? He hasn't been the fittest I guess but would have thought 13 was more of a need with Griffin leaving.

I've also already seen the 'surely this means henshaw should go to munster/leinster' suggestions as a result of this too

No I haven't heard anything. Maybe those in the know will have. Hope we will hear good news with regard to Clarke shortly.

Luke O Dea is being looked at, could be a good solution maybe to 15, played a lot of club and A rugby there. Plenty of pace and gets stuck in

Borders no.2 wrote:

The Outlaw wrote:

Borders no.2 wrote: Top class deflection tactics from the Connacht Branch there, top marks

In fairness, well done to all concerned this looks like a good coup.

Just hope it doesn't mean somebody else is off. Anyway need a 10.

Did have me slightly worried there may be some bad new on Clarke which hasn't been released yet but for now I'll grab hold of any positivity I can find.

Have you heard something or is it just an inkling?