Bundee Aki has admitted that he ‘over-reacted’ to news of Pat Lam’s announcement that he was leaving his position as Connacht Rugby coach
Lam will leave the Pro12 champions for English Premiership side Bristol at the end of the season and last year’s Player of the Season Aki had responded to the news by tweeting that he was “feeling pissed”.
However, the 26-year-old New Zealand centre says he has now accepted the change and is ready to work with whoever replaces his compatriot.
“Certainly I think I over-reacted,” he told the Irish Independent at a charity event for Cope Galway. “Pat has had a big influence on all of the boys, and especially myself, he has really improved my game.
“You have got to move on in rugby. That’s part of why people come and go and you have to enjoy every partnership you have and every professional you play with.”
The news has emerged today that Aki has been ruled out of action until at least the middle of February.
The news will come as a fresh blow to Connacht after Aki, was named man-of-the-match in last weekend’s win over Wasps,
The player is to go under the knife in a bid to ease an ongoing ankle injury.
He will miss Pat Lam side’s final two Champions Cup games, against Zebre and Toulouse, along with at least four PRO12 matches.
The news was released by Connacht, as they named their team for tomorrow’s match against Ulster in the PRO 12.
In total there are four changes to the team, from the one that defeated Wasps, in Galway.
Danie Poolman will start at inside centre in place of Aki, for the first time alongside Rory Parata.
The versatile Tom McCartney has been named on the bench to cover loosehead prop. Dave Heffernan with start the game at number two, while Shane Delahunt is named on the bench as replacement hooker.
James Cannon comes in to the side to partner Quinn Roux in the second row while Sean O’Brien is promoted from the bench to join the back row with Nepia Fox-Matamua and captain John Muldoon.
The Connacht coach was quoted as saying:
“Losing both Bundee and Conor to long term injuries is a big blow especially with our injury crisis at prop and midfield. With 21 injuries in our squad it’s an opportunity for the next player still standing to come in and nail his role in our structures and systems.”
“We know we don’t have a good record up in Belfast but that just means this is a huge opportunity for us to create something special as a group. We’re really looking forward to the challenge.”
Connacht team and replacements to face Ulster:
(15-9): Tiernan O’Halloran, Niyi Adeolokun, Rory Parata, Danie Poolman, Matt Healy, Jack Carty, Kieran Marmion.
(1-8): Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Quinn Roux, James Cannon, Sean O’Brien, Nepia Fox-Matamua, John Muldoon (capt
