NO TIME FOR A BUN FIGHT

Slimmed-down Aki isn’t getting drawn into any criticism over his place

BUNDEE Aki insists he respects the opinions of those who believe he shouldn’t start for Ireland at this World Cup.

It’s now almost two years since Aki, who is New Zealand born and bred, first wore the green jersey having qualified under the old three-year residency rule.

And it’s odds on that the Connacht enforcer will be wearing 12 in the pool opener against Scotland next Sunday.

A worrying hamstring problem leaves Robbie Henshaw unlikely to line out in Yokohama so Aki will be Ireland’s centre anchor alongside either Garry Ringrose or Chris Farrell.

The 29-year-old is one of nine ‘project’ players to play for Ireland under Joe Schmidt.

But ex-ireland international Luke Fitzgerald claimed only last week that as a “blow-in”, Aki shouldn’t be picked ahead of Ringrose, while Tommy Bowe has said Irish-born players should be prioritised for selection.

Fitzgerald said: “Ringrose is a superstar in the making, he is class and more creative. Aki is getting away with it and it’s wrong and doesn’t sit well with me.

“What’s going on here? We’re not picking any of the Irish guys? Ringrose has got the potential to be the next Drico.”

But Aki brushes off the criticism of his selection.

“Ah look, people have their own opinions, which is fair,” he said.

“That’s how they think and how they approach it. I highly respect them for that and I’ve got nothing towards them.

“All I’ve got to do is just make sure I put in a performance. That’s all I can ask for.

“Hopefully I do myself proud, I do my team-mates proud, make sure I do my family proud and most of all, the country proud. That’s all I can do.

“Connacht have supported me from day one when I first arrived and Galway, everyone knows how they are such good people.

“Look, I call it my home at the moment and I’m sure people will feel like I’m one of them as well.”

Aki believes he’ll be at his leanest and meanest in the weeks ahead.

“I’ve shed a few kilos, but that’s just me losing a big of fat that I’ve had for a few years,” he laughed. “I’ve been enjoying the Supermacs a bit too much!

“We’re still getting there. It’s going in the right direction.

“We had a little dark cloud over us from the England game and we knew there was a lot of talk outside the circle.

“But inside it we knew what needs to be done, how well we can play and how much of a performance that we needed to put in.

“The last two weeks

(against Wales) was only a sort of a stepping stone.

But the good thing about England is that there was a lot to learn and improve on.”

BUNDEE JUMP Some former players are unhappy at how Bundee Aki is at the head of the queue for Ireland