New Zealand ‘desperately wanted to keep’ Ma’a Nonu-like Bundee Aki as All Blacks legend makes stunning admission
Ireland did remarkably well to prize Bundee Aki away from New Zealand given that he was very much in the thoughts of the All Blacks selectors before he left.
That is according to legendary centre Conrad Smith, who hailed the 35-year-old ahead of this weekend’s game in Chicago.
Andy Farrell’s men will take on the All Blacks in the US city with Aki no doubt having a key role in the contest this weekend.
He played Super Rugby for the Chiefs in 2013 and 2014 but decided to leave and sign a contract with Irish province Connacht, where he has resided ever since.
Ireland debut
Aki became eligible for Ireland in 2017 and, despite a mixed start to his Test career, he has become a focal point of the side over the past few years.
Smith reckons he could have been an All Black, however, and that the New Zealand Rugby bigwigs wanted to keep him at home.
“He’s a brilliant player. He’s come along immensely in the last few years, I’m sure he would say the same thing himself, and I think he’s really matured,” the All Blacks legend told Off The Ball.
“He’s always had a great skill set. I know even in New Zealand he was very highly regarded and they were pretty gutted when he did decide to go overseas.
“He certainly wasn’t someone like some other players that don’t have opportunities and then go; I think Bundee was one they desperately wanted to keep and you can see why.
“He always had the skills. I think what he’s brought in the last few years is maturity and consistency of performance.”
Aki is renowned for his physicality but Smith also rates the skill set that he possesses and claims that it is similar to Ma’a Nonu.
“I was fortunate enough to play outside Ma’a Nonu for most of my career. I don’t like comparing players but there are a lot of similarities between the two,” he said.
“Even though they’re big, solid guys, there’s a lot more to both of them and it’s actually their skills and passing that creates so many opportunities.”
All Blacks hero: Ireland play like they’re at a training session
Brian O’Driscoll praise for Conrad Smith
Smith also has the utmost respect for another Ireland centre in the form of Brian O’Driscoll after he learning of the praise the 46-year-old had given him.
The Off The Ball recounted what O’Driscoll had said about the ex-All Black, saying: “The man was nicknamed the ‘Snake’, I think it’s because of his hips. It doesn’t look like he’s going that fast but that man can travel.
“Back in 2012 I remember thinking he wasn’t that quick and then I saw him pulling away from me, and I was like, ‘Ah right, okay, this is more of a reflection on me or on him, I’m not entirely sure’.
“He was a very good footballer, a really clever player, he got what might be perceived as a lot of easy scores, but he had to run the line in order to make them happy. He was a really, really clever operator.”
Smith duly responded: “Very kind, very kind, from the real great. Obviously, I got to know Brian pretty well over the years but certainly when I first started playing, he was the player I looked up to.
“I loved watching him play and then getting to play against him, and then meet him, it’s the great thing about rugby.”
READ MORE: Ardie Savea: Where the All Blacks have to ‘front up’ in order to beat ‘hard and direct’ Ireland
