Irish international Bundee Aki has reportedly apologised to his Connacht teammates for his red-card challenge against the DHL Stormers in Stellenbosch.
Aki was sent off in the second half of Connacht’s 38-15 loss to the Stormers, just 10 minutes after he was brought on as a substitute.
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The 32-year-old’s attempted cleanout left Stormers wing Seabelo Senatla with a long-term injury, but Aki still remonstrated with the officials after being show a red card.
In the buildup to the clash with the Vodacom Bulls, Connacht’s South African assistant coach, Dewald Senekal, said Aki has apologised to his teammates for his actions at the Danie Craven Stadium.
“The red card was basically a big old 14-point swing,” Senekal told RTE.ie. “It was a nice action getting us behind the line but unfortunately, in the modern game, we know from the start of the season it is something that World Rugby has clamped down on a lot.
“Back in my day, I would have gotten away with a few of those but unfortunately now with the new rules and how that’s been managed, three or four centimetres to the left it would have maybe been a different outcome. But, at this stage, it’s a red card.
“Bundee’s extremely apologetic about it. In the moment, we love him to bits for his youthful energy. He might have reacted wrongfully toward the ref at that moment but I think he was just looking for a clear response.
“He’s been with us all week trying to help the boys prepare as well as we can for for the next game.”
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It is the third time that Aki has been sent off in his career and, depending on his ban, he could miss Ireland’s upcoming Test against the Springboks in November.
Irish journalist Ruaidhri O’Connor was far less sympathetic over Aki’s actions, telling podcast Monday Night Rugby that the midfielder was starting to put his Ireland career at risk.
“[The Test against] South Africa is six weeks away. The first Test of the November internationals and Andy Farrell is looking at that. He’s already missed a World Cup quarter-final because of his discipline, because of this issue. Whether he’s going to be suspended for November or not, it will definitely come into his selection.
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“It’s a really damaging moment. And also he’s Connacht’s most important player and now he’s gone for their most critical part of the season … it’s a really poor moment for him. He’s let himself down, his coaches and his teammates down.”
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