The official announcement of Bundee Aki’s contract extension for another year is the ideal Christmas bonus for Connacht in advance of the United Rugby Championship meeting in Dublin on Saturday evening.
Fresh from a win in Europe, Connacht now face an even tougher challenge against an unbeaten Leinster outfit in the Aviva Stadium, and Aki’s availability for Saturday’s interprovincial is the ideal festive boost.
Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins says the 34-year-old New Zealand-born centre, who has some 60 international caps for Ireland, is a “good guy” whose heart is in the “right place” in his desire to help Connacht and Ireland win.
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“The key thing he brings to our environment is a calm head and that experience from playing in some of the biggest games and the biggest occasions. When he’s on the field for us, if we get into situations, whether it’s a good period of momentum in the game or a period when we may be struggling, he gives that calmness,” said Wilkins.
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“Anyone can tell players to settle down with the next job. But when it comes from someone who has excelled at the very top level, and has seen it and done it, I think it comes with far greater gravitas and has a much bigger impact on the group.”
Wilkins says Aki is now using his voice more within the group, which is incredibly important in Connacht’s growth.
“It’s just about tapping into that and where I can help him, but it also about being open enough to utilise his experience and his opinions. That’s an important bit of the dynamic as well.”
Fresh from their 31-18 win in Perpignan in the European Challenge Cup, Connacht head to Dublin hoping to avenge their 33-12 loss to Leinster earlier in the season.
Wilkins is expected to make several changes following their victory in France and Ireland internationals Finlay Bealham and Mack Hansen will be available. Ruled out are talented youngster Hugh Gavin, who continues to recover from ankle surgery, and Peter Dooley (calf), who is back running, and may be ready for the Ulster Christmas fixture.
“We didn’t give the best account of ourselves in that game at home,” said Wilkins of the game against Leinster in Galway. “And we will have some fresh bodies coming back, either from injury, or players who didn’t have to make that long trip to Perpignan. It would be difficult if the internationals were only dropping straight back in this week, but I think we’ll have no excuses in terms of our preparation. We just need to get the rugby bits of our game functioning and make sure our mindsets are there on the day.”
He added: “There is excitement about Leinster and the opportunity within that, but it’s knowing how very good we will have to be make the most of it.”
With the odds firmly in favour of Leinster, Wilkins says few would be surprised if his side were the winners.
“There is less pressure [on us] because if Leinster win, the person on the street will not be surprised, particularly up at the Aviva. Regardless of who they rotate selection-wise, it will be an incredibly strong 23 coming up against us.”
However, he said, sometimes Connacht play their best rugby when they “just go for it” and do not worry about the consequences.
“We just need to get the rugby bits of our game functioning, and make sure our mindsets are there on the day, and we’ll look forward to seeing what we can do.”
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