Schmidt hits back as eligibility dispute deepens
Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has entered an eligibility scrap with the All Blacks, strongly defending Kiwi Bundee Aki’s commitment to the green jersey.
He likened the former Counties Manukau and Chiefs star’s move to Ireland to New Zealand’s convenient use of Pacific Islands talent to bolster the All Blacks.
It comes on the back of All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster having a slight dig at Aki this week as they prepare to face another Kiwi transplant after coming up against former Hurricanes star Brad Shields in the England outfit last weekend.
‘‘You have moulded him into an Irish man, he looks like an Irish man 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, himself a New Zealander who has made a name for himself in Europe, poked back after confirming Aki in the Ireland midfield to take on the All Blacks.
‘‘I think Bundee has fully demonstrated his commitment through the last year,’’ Schmidt said of the 28-year-old Aki who has qualified for Ireland through residency following his move north to join Connacht.
‘‘He made his debut against South Africa last year in this particular section of the year, and in 2016 he won [PRO12] 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. And I know that Bundee Aki is very ready to play for us in this weekend’s fixture.’’