CONNACHT HAVE BEEN dealt a major injury blow as it has been confirmed Bundee Aki will require surgery on an ankle injury.
The explosive centre has been ruled out for eight to 10 weeks.
24-year-old Aki, who joined Connacht from the Chiefs in New Zealand this season, sustained the injury late on during the province’s 16-13 defeat to Edinburgh at the Sportsground last weekend.
The former Counties Manukau centre damaged his left ankle while carrying the ball in typically aggressive fashion, although he did attempt to play on. With three minutes left on the clock, Aki limped off the pitch and did not return.
The Auckland native underwent an MRI examination and consultation with an orthopaedic surgeon early this week, whereafter it was confirmed that he has sustained a ruptured syndesmosis.
The Connacht man will undergo surgery next week.
It comes as a cruel blow for Pat Lam’s squad, who are currently sixth in the Guinness Pro12, inside the Champions Cup qualification spots for next season. The recovery timeframe means Connacht may be without Aki until their round 18 fixture against Munster on 27/28/29 March.
That would mean the Kiwi centre missing the league clashes against the Scarlets [A], Dragons [A], Treviso [H] and Cardiff Blues [A]. The likes of Dave McSharry will look to secure a spot in the starting XV in Aki’s absence.
Aki signed a three-year deal with Connacht last year, when he spoke openly about his desire to play international rugby. He will qualify to play for Ireland in 2017, although he could also play for Samoa, his parents’ country of birth.
Got to respect his honesty tonne fair. It’s always easy to be critical.
Let’s hope it works out for him. Acknowledging that he was doing himself no favours sounds like a step in the right direction
best of luck to him, wasnt aware that he was hanging around with an unhelpful crew.
but at the same time every single sports person always says they are in the best shape physically and mentally ever so will wait to see how he goes.
It is probably a good thing for him to move to Italy. There is obviously a culture he is trying to get away from. If he eats and trains properly and focuses on soccer he could have a good career. They are built up and then knocked down. They work so hard to get to the top level but loads of them throw it away. Too much money too young perhaps. I think it’s generally they surround themselves with the wrong type of people. A player dyeing their hair for me is usually a very bad sign, they’ve lost focus completely. I hope he knuckles down and gives it everything because it feels like the last chance saloon