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Joe Schmidt defends Bundee Aki's place in side after Foster dig
By Online Editors
Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has responded to a dig from All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster and defended midfielder Bundee Aki's place in the Irish squad.
Aki was born in Auckland and played Super Rugby for the Chiefs before moving to Ireland in 2014, where he has since played for Connacht.
He made his test debut for Ireland last year after qualifying to play for the nation after three years of residence.
"You have moulded him into an Irishman, he looks like an Irishman now doesn't he?" Foster said. "There will be a couple of our guys who have probably played with him and know him personally but we are kind of getting used to that."
Schmidt, who was also born in New Zealand, insisted that Aki has proved where his loyalties lie.
"I think Bundee has probably demonstrated through the last year, he made his debut against South Africa last year in this particular section of the year. And I think he won personality of the year.
"That's the nature of Bundee and his popularity. Because everybody knows he's going to give 100 per cent.
"It's like asking was Jerome Kaino 100 per cent ready to play for the All Blacks, because he was born in a foreign country. Or Chris Masoe, or Joe Rokocoko, or any of those guys.
"So having coached all those guys, they were very ready to play for the All Blacks. Bundee Aki is very ready to play for us in this weekend's fixture."
Ireland beat the All Blacks for the first time ever in 2016, ending a 111-year drought after running away victors 40-29 in Chicago.
"It's always an achievement to beat the All Blacks, that's why we limit ourselves to once every 115 years because we don't want to get carried away with things," Schmidt joked.
"When they first arrived [in Ireland] in 1905, they were incredibly tough to knock over and I don't think they've changed too much.
"The depth of their experience, it is formidable and it would be a huge feather in these players' cap if they could topple them on Saturday."
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Latest Comments
"Survive"? "Scare?" A bit dramatic. ABs always going to win, just a matter of by how much.
The Azurri were up for it though. As expected. You can bet they were planning for this specific test for months. Let's not forget they were pipped by ENG, drew with FRA, & beat both SCO & WAL in the Six Nations in Feb/Mar this year.
A mess of a match, good win, considering.
Go to commentsAfter you. And yes, that's exactly what Penney should do. Stat!! Unfortunately he has one year left on his contract.
Penney's Super Rugby win record was a low 23% before we signed him on. At the top was Razor at 84%. And true to form, Penney took us from a 7-peat to not even making the play-offs in ONE season. No excuses. LOSER. Thank God his contract is up next year. And hopefully Rangi might wanna throw his hat in for the job.
In the meantime, hopefully we can crack the top 6 this year in spite of Penney!??!
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