‘I had a baby fairly early so it was a longer journey than normal to get to where I am’ – Bundee Aki on life, love and rugby

Bundee Aki has known that he wanted to be a rugby player since the age of six, but having his first child in his teens meant that the path to turning pro took a little longer. However, it’s his family and his faith that provides the balance the Ireland star needs to keep improving his game

Rugby player Bundee Aki

Emily Hourican

The day I meet Bundee Aki is the day after Ireland’s Six Nations win against Italy. Aki was at the game — “It was a good game, a tough game. That side have improved a good bit over the last couple of years” — but he didn’t play. What’s it like to do the warm-ups, as he did, and then have to sit it out, I wonder?

“When you’re warming up, you’re pretty eager to get the adrenalin going, you’re getting your game sense going, but then you just don’t play… you go and sit back. But then, you’re also not as stressed as you would be if you’re on the pitch. Or, not stressed, nervous… But I thought our boys were very good.”