In the swamp heat of Bordeaux, the big Connacht centre set the tone with outstanding performance
It wasn’t just Aki’s two tries and his effectiveness in defence and attack, but the stats bristle too. He led the game carries with 190 metres, he led the offloads with three and he led in successful carries, taking the ball 13 times across the gainline in a display that on another day could have pipped Peter O’Mahony for man of the match.“There were a few shouts in the dressingroom for Bundee ,” conceded assistant coach John Fogarty. “I thought he was really good. He showed so much energy.
Fogarty’s thoughts were roundly shared and it wasn’t just Aki’s tries but a moment in injury time when Ireland decided to play from their own 22 rather than kick the ball dead and seek respite from the withering heat. Instead, the ball was kept alive and with replacement outhalf Jack Crowley in possession, following instruction from Aki, he dinked a kick over the defensive line with Aki winning the race to the bouncing ball.
“I thought he was outstanding today,” said Farrell in Stade de Bordeaux. “I said it to him after the game. He looked powerful in the line and he didn’t give his legs away in contact. He looked like he could get a few extra metres, he made a few good decisions in attack and he looked like he was on it.”Henshaw’s hamstring tweak is said the be cautionary more than anything serious and as he left the stadium he quipped “fine” when asked how he was.
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