Photo: Stefano Delfrate / CC BY-SA 2.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)

Bundee Aki

バンディー・アキ　/　ばんでぃー・あき

Rugby union player from New Zealand

April 7, 1990 (age 36)　・　Ōtāhuhu, New Zealand

rugby union player

My Take

Bundee Aki is a player I find genuinely fascinating as a story about identity in modern rugby. Born in Otahuhu, New Zealand, of Samoan heritage, he qualified for Ireland on residency and became an Irish citizen in 2024 while keeping dual citizenship. As a centre at Connacht he plays with a physicality that's hard to ignore, and I think his journey says a lot about how international rugby actually works now. The residency route still sparks debate, but watching him commit so fully to Irish rugby, I came away seeing him less as a transplant and more as someone who earned his place.

Overview

Fua Leiofi Bundellu Aki (born 7 April 1990) 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. He became an Irish citizen in 2024, and maintains dual citizenship.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

1. Profile

Name (English): Bundee Aki
Name (Japanese): バンディー・アキ
Reading: ばんでぃー・あき
Born: April 7, 1990 (age 36)
Zodiac / Chinese zodiac: Aries / Horse
Origin: Ōtāhuhu, New Zealand
Blood type: Private
Height: 178 cm
Agency: Private
Occupation: rugby union player

2. Background

Elementary school: Private
Junior high: Private
High school: Manurewa High School
University: University of Auckland

3. Relationships

Spouse: Private
Children: Private
Parents: Private
Siblings: Private

4. Personality

Motto

Private

6. Links

Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/bundeeaki/
Wikipedia (Japanese)https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%90%E3%83%B3%E3%83%87%E3%82%A3%E3%83%BC%E3%83%BB%E3%82%A2%E3%82%AD

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