Aki can be a huge asset for Ireland

BUNDEE Aki can become a “special” player for Ireland, according to his former Connacht coach Pat Lam.

New Zealand-born centre Aki has won his first Ireland call-up for the November Tests, after completing his three-year residency period.

The 27-year-old with Samoan parents is one of four uncapped additions to head coach Joe Schmidt’s 38-man squad for Ireland’s Tests against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina.

Lam convinced Aki to trade New Zealand’s Chiefs for Connacht in 2014 and believes the battering-ram centre has shown “real guts”.

“I’ve said it from day one when he signed for Connacht, then again when I was leaving for Bristol, nothing would make me more proud of seeing Bundee wear that Ireland jersey,” said Lam.

“He’s an exceptionally talented player, but he’s very passionate, he just loves teamwork.

“It took real guts for Bundee to move to Connacht, to look after his young family.

“It wasn’t the easiest upbringing for him and it wasn’t the easiest situation. He became a father at a young age and he had to grow up pretty fast.

“He’s going to be special for Ireland if he gets capped.”

Ireland boss Schmidt has named the uncapped quartet of Aki, Leinster’s Adam Byrne and Munster duo Chris Farrell and Darren Sweetnam for next month’s Tests, with fit-again Rory Best retaining the captaincy. Former Samoa flanker Lam believes hard-hitting centre Aki has proven his commitment to Ireland by throwing himself into life in Galway – and rejecting a big-money move to France.

“The proof of the pudding was that a lot of clubs, particularly in France, came hard after him and he chose to commit to the west of Ireland,” added Lam. Ireland: R Best (Ulster, capt), J Conan (Leinster), U Dillane (Connacht), T Furlong, C Healy (both Leinster), I Henderson, R Herring (both Ulster), D Kilcoyne (Munster), D Leavy, J McGrath, S O’Brien (all Leinster), T O’Donnell, P O’Mahony (both Munster), A Porter, R Ruddock, James Ryan (all Leinster), John Ryan, CJ Stander (both Munster), D Toner, J Tracy (both Leinster), K Treadwell (Ulster), B Aki (Connacht), A Byrne, J Carbery (both Leinster), A Conway, K Earls, C Farrell (all Munster), R Henshaw, D Kearney, R Kearney (all Leinster), I Keatley (Munster), K Marmion (Connacht), S McCloskey (Ulster), L McGrath (Leinster), C Murray (Munster), J Sexton (Leinster), J Stockdale (Ulster), D Sweetnam (Munster).