- Date of Birth07 / 04 / 1990
- Lions Tours2021, 2025
- International CapsIreland (65 caps)
- Lions Origin SchoolsManurewa HS (Auckland NZ)
- Lions Origin ClubsCounties Manukau, Falmouth, Chiefs, Connacht
Back for his second Tour with The Lions, Ireland centre Bundee Aki is a man for all seasons.
Born in Ōtāhuhu, New Zealand, Aki was named after Bundellu, the doctor responsible for his delivery but it was the moniker 'Bundee' that has accompanied Aki throughout his career.
After distinguishing himself at Manurewa High School, a place renowned for producing talented players of both codes, Aki then took a year out to work as a bank teller.
But it did not take long before he returned to his true calling, shining for provincial side Counties Manukau and then the Chiefs in Super Rugby.
Aki was an ever-present in the Chiefs' second consecutive title win in the 2013 season, recording five tries from 15 appearances before a move to Irish province Connacht.
He immediately hit the ground running, picking up the Players' Player of the Season award after starring in Connacht's first-ever Pro12 title-winning campaign in 2016.
A highlight reel of six outstanding tries and countless crunching tackles marked Aki as one to watch and Ireland soon took notice, naming him in their 2017 Autumn Internationals squad after Aki completed the three-year residency period.
And it didn't take long for him to make an impression for his adopted homeland, making 17 tackles in Ireland's historic 38-3 victory over South Africa - their biggest-ever winning margin over the Springboks.
He has since become synonymous with Irish rugby, racking up 65 appearances and featuring in 2018, 2023 and 2024 Six Nations championship-winning squads.
Aki was part of Ireland's historic successful tours of Australia and New Zealand and featured in his side's run to the quarter-finals of the 2019 World Cup in Japan, emulating the feat four years later in France.
Four years ago, he earned his first selection to The British & Irish Lions, making six appearances, including four starts, during their Tour of South Africa.
He wore the No.12 jersey in the 1888 Cup game against Japan at Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium before starting further matches against Cell C Sharks, South Africa A and the Springboks in the third and decisive Test, which the hosts won 19-16.
In 2023, Aki was nominated for the World Rugby Men's 15s Player of the Year Award and at 34, the ever-green stalwart continues to star for club and country, with his carrying power and handling ability seeing him link up with his Ireland coach Andy Farrell for this summer's Tour in Australia.