A big loss.
Although the laws now mean an NIQ player must be playing in a country for five years to become IQ, Ireland made hay when the rule was three years, and have probably gained the most out of any of the Six Nations sides.
James Lowe, CJ Stander, Jared Payne, and Jamison Gibson-Park have been key players, while Lowe and JGP still are.
However, the man who has had the biggest impact, and not just for the national team, is Bundee Aki, who is arguably Connacht’s greatest player of all time and also made our ‘Ireland XV team of the 21st century’ selection.
Speaking on Off the Ball, All Black great, Conrad Smith, revealed the disappointment in New Zealand when Aki decided to move to Galway, and compared him to arguably the greatest inside centre of all time, Ma’a Nonu.
Smith said: “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.
“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.
“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.
“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.”
