BUNDEE AKI has aged like a fine wine as he continues to play his best rugby into his mid-30s.
The Connacht star is far from short of support at home with his wife Kayla and their four kids all behind him.
Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
Bundee and Kayla got married back in 2018 and they had their ceremony in their native New Zealand.
They have three daughters: Armani-Jade, Adrianna and Ailbhe.
They also have a son named Andronicus.
After a poor experience in the hospital the first time around, Kayla decided to do a home-birth for the rest of their kids.
Bundee is a big family man and is constantly sharing photos of his loved ones on social media.
In August 2024 he got emotional as his second-eldest child Adrianna set off on her first day of secondary school.
The following month also brought a further milestone in his and his family’s continued path to Ireland becoming their home.
Bundee was one of over 3600 people who received Irish citizenship at a ceremony in Dublin’s Convention Centre.
Again, the bruising centre welled up when asked to sum up why he’s adopted the country to the extent that he has.
He explained: “(I love) Everything. I have nothing to complain about here.
“I love the people, I love the culture – (there’s) not a bad word I could speak about Ireland.
“Every time I go somewhere with me and my family. People are so welcome and lovely.
“We feel like we’re at home at the moment.”
Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
TOP HONOUR
On the back of his star performances in the 2023 World Cup he was one of three nominees for World Rugby Player of the Year.
He ultimately lost out on the gong to New Zealand’s Ardie Savea.
However, he did scoop one major solo award as he was named Guinness Rugby Writers’ Ireland Player of the Year.
And the 34-year-old — who signed a new contract to keep him with Connacht until summer 2025 at least — insisted that he has much more to offer in the years to come.
He said: “I certainly believe that there’s a lot more to come and that I can definitely offer more and keep going after things — and achieve more goals here and there.
“I definitely want to keep giving my best and serve the time until I know it’s my time to finish and then I’ll put the boots up.
“But at the moment, I’m feeling good. I’m feeling fresh and I’m looking to achieve more.”