Aki off?
What, where when why?
Contract might expire before RWC. The official announcement said end of the 22/23 season. Other sources report summer 23.
https://www.irishrugby.ie/2019/11/29/ireland-and-connacht-star-bundee-aki-extends-irfu-contract-to-2023/
https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2019/1129/1095978-connacht-star-aki-agrees-to-new-central-contract/
Summer 2023
https://www.the42.ie/irfu-bundee-aki-connacht-contract-4911640-Nov2019/
There was a rumor that if he doesn't get a big money deal for a few years he won't stay for RWC. Who knows.
If Aki doesn't play during the six nations (unless injured) I would see that as confirmation that he is leaving. No reason imo to have anyone ahead of him (if Henshaw is injured).
Good luck to him so
I was a big fan of McCloskey coming in during the Autumn, but Ulsters issues would give me pause. Similarly with Aki, don't think he's been great this season.
Osbourne strikes me as a player we'll look back on amd wonder why we waited so long to cap him. He reminds me very much of Fitz, in terms of comfort and talent.
Aki could probably get a good pay day in France. Who knows, the cash might be a factor.
I agree but why not do a deal where he stays till after the RWC. Sure the IRFU give non centrally contracted players something like 8K a game in appearance bonuses plus performance bonuses.
Thanks
it doesn’t specifically say July and it’s logical it would have included WC because it’s a central contract.
Yea Aki/Henshaw are the No.1 options at 12. He really seems a very important part of the squad. If he doesn’t start he will bench.
I really like McCloskey but Aki is the better player. Osborne has potential. Allot of it and offers something different but he’s not yet ready for a WC.
Ireland want to win the World Cup. Hope irfu don’t get cheap. Aki is 33 in April surely the prudent decision is to give him the two year's and €400k.
That's too much for a guy that 33. Historically, they lowball lads that age. I wouldn't think that's wise. He's not going to be in the squad much longer, as the next cycle starts in January.
Aki is surely contracted till the end of the RWC. That's what literally every other country does. It would be absolutely daft to contract a guy up to a couple of months before the RWC.
Without a doubt. Looks like Aki is playing hardball. Rightly so. Left out of Connacht team v Brive is a concern esp when Freind just says "he's training".
I would say he's missed allot more games through suspension than injury since making his debut v SA (Nov '17). I think the only games he missed for Ireland through injury was at the start of the 2021 6N.
He is positively robust in comparison to Henshaw. The red cards are the biggest worry. I'd renew his contract on similar terms to his current deal. He's an integral part of the squad and could easily play for another two seasons at his current level.
Indo saying Aki wasn't picked for Connacht at the weekend, even though he's fit. Has he falken out of favour?
He is not necessarily signed up to end of the world cup. Sure didn't Rob Kearney and Gordon D'Arcy have to extend contracts by 3 or 4 months until after the 2019 World cup??
I'm sure many others are out of contract at the end of the season too not just bundee.. but most irish players wouldn't walk away from an opportunity to play in a world cup.
Personally while he would be good option for the world cup I wouldn't be rushing out and offering him a 2 or 3 year central contact worth 400k at his age or with his recent discipline issues.
Central contracts and great and all but can be a flawed system as some of the older players on them maybe shouldn't still be on them. Look at Munster 2 centrally contracted players not togged out last weekend. You nearly have to retire to get off them.
Aki would be signed up to the end of WC. Kearney also was. He extended contract beyond end of that season.
Sorry I was wrong on Kearney but D'Arcy 100% signed a 4 month contract back in 2015 to take him past the world cup window.
By Nov 2014 Henshaw and Payne were the new centre partnership and also played in 6N.
D'Arcy was effectively finished in 2014 but i think he still got a contract that summer to bring him to the end of RWC. Im not sure.
It would be bonkers if Aki (still a key player) had been offered a contract by the IRFU that could potentially rule him out of the WC.
the central contracts flaw
we have three centrally contracted players in the cold, and a World Player of the year on a provincial deal. Genius
Connacht didn't exactly need Aki this weekend to brush past Brive (who decided that tackling was optional) so maybe Friend wanted to give the minutes to a player who was showing more in training than Aki who has been poor for Connacht this season
Interesting choice between baird and Coombes for the 23. Touch and go I think.
Something going on in the background there me thinks.
I'd rather have the centrally contracted players sitting on the bench if they're not on form, than playing them just because they're on a central contract.
Also, the benefit of having a player in the set-up with the experience and talent of the likes of Earls, Murray, Aki is worth keeping even if they're in the twilight of their careers (Earls and Murray)
Young players often talk about how much they learn from the marquee players as they develop from the academy to senior contracts.
D'Arcys extended contract was with Leinster so he would stay on until after the WC covering for the fact that Henshaw and Ringrose were unavailable.
He retired as soon as they came back to the squad following their post WC rest period etc.
i like Earls but if neither of the three are playing, picking them for Ireland is a wasted spot.
i think Aki and Murray will be in the squad. Its a shame if Earls doesn't make it to 100.
I think for a WC squad in fairness the three will be good for experience.
Henshaw was with Connacht at the time and Ringrose hadn't made his senior debut...
I'm mixing my 2019 and 2015 WC!!
But D'Arcy was retained on a Leinster contract for the additional few months as cover during the WC absences.
You are right about contract extension. 4 months.
But it was really only as injury cover for Ireland heading into RWC he played warmup v Scot. His last game for Leinster was May '15.
https://www.epcrugby.com/2015/05/01/darcy-to-retire-after-world-cup/
Henderson is another whose contract is up this season. But again this will incl the WC.
edit
& James Ryan
https://www.leinsterrugby.ie/james-ryan-signs-three-year-irfu-contract/
https://www.irishrugby.ie/2021/02/24/iain-henderson-signs-irfu-contract-extension/
Sexton, Ryan, Aki, POM and Henderson contracts are all up after the WC.
James Lowe last signed a contract at Leinster in 2020 until 2023. Now that is maybe the only player on the Irish team whose contract could expire before the WC.
https://www.the42.ie/james-lowe-three-year-contract-5135752-Jun2020/
When's the ireland squad announced? England have already announced their's. Maybe they did it early due to new management.
Thursday I believe
Wouldn't be at all surprised if it's neither. The incumbent backrow is POM/VDF/Doris with Conan on the bench. I'd be surprised if Farrell springs a new back row for such a huge game.
Personally, I'd like to see Henderson/Ryan at lock, with Beirne at 6 and Baird in the 19 shirt.
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