Latest news with #Aki
RTÉ News
9 hours ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Joe Schmidt's swipe at Lions 'southern hemisphere' centres
Australia head coach Joe Schmidt has taken a swipe at the British and Irish Lions by describing Bundee Aki and Sione Tuipulotu as a "southern-hemisphere centre partnership". Aki and Tuipulotu, who were born in New Zealand and Australia respectively, form a midfield partnership for Friday's tour opener against Argentina in Dublin and Schmidt has seized the opportunity to highlight their switch of national allegiance. Aki qualified for Ireland through residency in 2017, and became an Irish citizen in 2024, while Tuipulotu is able to represent Scotland because of his Greenock-born grandmother. "A southern-hemisphere centre partnership that will be pretty formidable," said Schmidt at the Wallabies squad announcement for their forthcoming match against Fiji. "I coached Bundee for several years and know him really well and respect him massively as a player. He's a great contributor to the team environment. "I've only had glancing conversations with Sione but again, by all accounts a champion bloke. "You don't get to be captain of a national team without being a great bloke and really professional in those high-performance environments. They are real athletes, those two together, so that'll be really interesting." The number of overseas-born players in Andy Farrell's 38-man squad has been a talking point ahead of the tour Down Under. Ireland's James Lowe and Jamison Gibson-Park and Scotland's Duhan van der Merwe and Pierre Schoeman qualified for their nations through residency, while Finlay Bealham and Mack Hansen can represent Ireland through family. Lions attack coach Richard Wigglesworth responded to Schmidt's barb by declaring everyone in the squad has earned the right to be there. "I don't know if they are questioning their commitment. Everyone has earned the right to pull on the Lions jersey," Wigglesworth said. "They are, to a man, incredibly proud to be here. It is not your background or how you have got here, it's what sort of player you are and what sort of man you are. We have got great men and great players."
RTÉ News
12 hours ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Preview: Cohesion the key as Lions prepare for Pumas send-off
Six weeks and 10 games. It all starts tonight. Given the make-up of the squad and coaching staff, this Lions tour feels more Irish and British than British and Irish, and Dublin is the first stop, before they head Down Under on Saturday. The majority of the 16-strong Irish contingent in the playing group will be watching from the stands at Aviva Stadium this evening, with Rónan Kelleher the only of Leinster's BKT URC final squad asked to play two weeks in a row. While officially this is the end of week two in the Lions camp, 15 of the squad have only been in place since Monday afternoon, with the Leinster, Bath and Leicester Tigers contingent missing last week's Portugal camp due to their club commitments. As such, cohesion has been this week's buzz-word. Nine of the starting 15 for this opening game against Argentina are England internationals, but that familiarity could be offset by a new coaching team whose style of play may differ from Steve Borthwick. It's telling that his opening half-back partnership are team-mates for both club and country, with Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith teaming up behind the scrum, while Marcus Smith is patrolling the backfield at full-back, and ready to pivot to out-half if needed. "They were the two tens in the squad last week so they've been dovetailing 10 and 15, so it's great for them to have time in the saddle to be able to do that," Farrell said of the Smiths. "That's why it was good to, on many accounts, to train with a 23/24-man squad because it gave different people different combinations to have time and reps. New system, new calls, getting their heads around all that has allowed them to get to a point now where they're pretty excited to play together." Selections will change, but it will be curious to see if Farrell's side play to the strength and size of their three-quarter line. Wings Duhan van der Merwe and Tommy Freeman measure in at 6ft 4in and 6ft 3in, and weigh a couple of digits either side of 105kg. The centre combination of Bundee Aki and Sione Tuipulotu are by no means tall, but are two of the most powerful in their position in the northern hemisphere. "I wouldn't have noticed," Farrell replied, when the size of his backline was mentioned. Aki (above) and Tuipulotu's partnership in particular is the one that jumped off the page when the team was named on Wednesday afternoon. Hard-running and big-hitting, the pair would initially have been expected to be in competition for the 12 shirt in the Test series next month, but if they gel as a combination while Garry Ringrose and Huw Jones are getting back to full fitness, it could be a perfect marriage. Farrell says he wants them to become a "dominant partnership", and if their direct carrying can occupy bodies and space for others to score, it could give them a head-start on Test selection. "So they've [Aki and Tuipulotu] been great. Getting on the same page, sharing each other's strengths and weaknesses, etc, and trying to get across what is a new system to everyone. So very diligent and excited to see that partnership, along with a few others. "But we know that we're coming up against a side who are pretty good in those type of positions as well, you know," Farrell added. The six Irish players n this week's matchday 23 are split evenly across the starting team and replacements; Aki and Tadhg Beirne both mark their second Lions tours at the Aviva, while Finlay Bealham starts at tighthead, less than two weeks after being called into the squad as an injury replacement for Scotland's Zander Fagerson. His fellow Ireland international and Canberra-native Mack Hansen is among the replacements, as is Kelleher and Tadhg Furlong, who will be making his first appearance since early May after being troubled by a calf injury. Argentina drove Ireland all the way when they last visited the Aviva back in November, and while Felipe Contepomi could be handing out three debuts off the bench, 12 of his starting team featured in that 22-19 defeat seven months ago. Four years ago, the tour to South Africa was thrown into chaos when captain Alun-Wyn Jones (above) dislocated his shoulder just seven minutes into the warm-up fixture against Japan. Jones did recover miraculously to rejoin the squad in time for the first Test, but Justin Tipuric had no such luck, and played no further part after his injury in Edinburgh. The head coach bristled at any suggestion players will have Saturday's flight to Australia in their sub-conscious for this game. "I'm not even thinking about avoiding injuries, that's the furthest thing from my mind because it's just sport. This is just the nature of sport in general, never mind the contact sport that we that we love to watch and play. So it is what it is. "We certainly, in the back of our minds, wish that we've got a healthy squad going to Australia, but we know that along the way, there's also the sorts of different implications that can happen. It's just the nature of the tour. "This is all about putting your best foot forward as a group. They're representing the group. "This is a full-blown Test match for us, for all that are involved internally. We're lucky to have the quality of the Argentinian side to come over and test that. It's going to be a fantastic occasion," added Farrell. British and Irish Lions: Marcus Smith; Tommy Freeman, Sione Tuipulotu, Bundee Aki, Duhan van der Merwe; Fin Smith, Alex Mitchell; Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Finlay Bealham; Maro Itoje (capt), Tadhg Beirne; Tom Curry, Jac Morgan, Ben Earl Argentina: Santiago Carreras; Rodrigo Isgro, Lucio Cinti, Justo Piccardo, Ignacio Mendy; Tomas Albornoz, Gonzalo García; Mayco Vivas, Julian Montoya (capt), Joel Sclavi; Franco Molina, Pedro Rubiolo; Pablo Matera, Juan Martín Gonzalez, Joaquin Oviedo
Irish Examiner
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Farrell looking for 'dominant partnership' between Aki and Tuipulotu
Of all the combinations set to be unleashed by the British & Irish Lions against Argentina in Dublin on Friday night, their midfield of Bundee Aki and Sione Tuipulotu looks one of the most Test-ready for the series against Australia. Of course, there is a lot of water set to pass under all manner of bridges before head coach Andy Farrell commits to the starting XV to face the Wallabies in Brisbane on July 19, not least five tour matches Down Under against Western Force, Queensland Reds, Waratahs, Brumbies and a Australia/New Zealand Invitational side seven days out from the first Test. There are national partnerships to reignite, with Aki set be accompanied on tour by Ireland team-mate Garry Ringrose, while Tuipulotu has a potent combination with fellow Scot Huw Jones, if the latter can shake off the Achilles issue he has been carrying for almost three months. England's Eliot Daly will also harbour hopes of an opportunity to shine at outside centre, though his versatility across the backline makes him an option for Farrell in other positions. Yet it is Aki at inside centre with Tuipulotu on his outside who get the first crack at making an impression when Los Pumas visit Aviva Stadium on Friday on the eve of departure for Australia. When asked on Wednesday what he was hoping to see from the pairing, head coach Farrell said: 'A dominant partnership, but we know that we're coming up against a side who are pretty good in those type of positions as well, you know. 'They've been great. Getting on the same page, sharing each other's strengths and weaknesses, etc, and trying to get across what is a new system to everyone. So very diligent and excited to see that partnership, along with a few others.' With a back three of Marcus Smith, and wings Tommy Freeman and Duhan van der Merwe, and a half-back pairing of Northampton duo Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith, Lions assistant coach Richard Wigglesworth spoke on Thursday about his excitement at what the tourists were capable of producing against Argentina. England's attack coach, who appears to be sharing the Lions' offensive coaching duties with Andrew Goodman in camp currently, picked out the Aki and Tuipulotu axis in particular. Read More Freeman looks to North for inspiration ahead of Lions' trip Down Under 'We've got power, pace, and no little skill in between,' Wigglesworth said. 'I'm excited to see the centre partnership, as they can play through and around teams. They should create some space for those boys outside. 'We want to see how we connect on and off the ball with each other. We want to play to space, and play fast. Every Test match is different, so if we work hard with the players we've got we'll create some stuff.' The centres, the Lions assistant added, were: 'A second partnership. They can definitely test the gain line, but they've also got really high-level skill with a short passing game, balls out the back, so I think will hold the defence, and then we can create some opportunities off the back of it.' Wigglesworth also on Thursday issued another positive update on recoveries from injury for scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park (glute), full-back Hugo Keenan (calf) and the aforementioned Jones, all of whom Farrell predicted 24 hours earlier, would be available for selection to face Western Force in Perth a week on Saturday. 'They're all not far away,' Wigglesworth said. 'Jamison was running today. The others are close to running around with us next week.' Read More Farrell throws down the gauntlet as opportunity beckons for chosen Lions
Powys County Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Tommy Freeman promises ‘fun and dangerous' Lions approach to Argentina clash
Tommy Freeman insists the British and Irish Lions' heavyweight threequarters are ready to give the Australia tour lift off by leaving a lasting impression on Argentina in Dublin. Andy Farrell is fielding the biggest centres and wings he has available in his squad with England try machine Freeman joined by Duhan van der Merwe, Bundee Aki and Sione Tuipulotu. All four weigh over 100kg and the muscular midfield partnership of Aki and Tuipulotu in particular is generating excitement ahead of Friday's curtain raiser to the expedition Down Under. Freeman is keen for them to make a statement by going for the jugular against a dangerous Pumas side that is ranked fifth in the world. 'Without giving away too much, hopefully there will be a lot of tries and instinctive playing. It's going to be a lot of fun – and dangerous,' Freeman said. 'We're not going to be there to set stuff up and go through phases for the sake of going through phases. We want to score off the back of anything we can. 'There are threats that players have to offer and we have ball players who can put us into space.' The first outing of a 10-fixture itinerary that culminates in a three-Test series against the Wallabies will provide an early indication of the Lions' tactical identity under Farrell. Richard Wigglesworth hinted at the creative prowess of half-backs Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith and full-back Marcus Smith when analysing the potential to trouble Argentina, but even the tourists' attack coach concedes it is the combination of Aki and Tuipulotu that really captures the imagination. 'We've got power, pace and no little skill in between. I'm excited to see the centre partnership as they can play through and around teams. They should create some space for those boys outside,' Wigglesworth said. 'They can definitely test the gain line, but they've also got really high-level skill with a short passing game and balls out the back.' Farrell has lit a fire under those players involved against Argentina by declaring the race for Test places is wide open. The challenge facing Freeman and his team-mates is to capture the eye of the Lions head coach with individual performances that will propel them into his thinking against Australia, while also serving the greater cause. 'Andy has been really good talking about us impressing each other rather than anyone else outside the picture,' Freeman said. 'You want to obviously play well for yourself and get yourself selected for these Test matches and doing that on Friday night would help, but at the end of the day you have to play well and do your role for the team. 'This week will there will be pressure in the back of your mind and you can't ignore it, but every time you put that shirt on or training gear you want to put your best foot forward and do the best you can for the team and yourself.'
Extra.ie
2 days ago
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Why Argentina feels like an early audition for Lions No12 jersey
Have the British and Irish Lions ever fielded a more imposing midfield? In Bundee Aki and Sione Tuipulotu, Andy Farrell is rolling out a hard-running centre partnership which collectively tips the scales at around 32 stone. That's a lot of midfield muscle. Aki and Tuipulotu are the kind of operators which strike fear into opposition out-halves. The prospect of one of these powerhouses paying a visit down the No10 channel is daunting. Dealing with both is positively alarming. Bundee Aki. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan Shorn of his France-based frontliners, who are still on Top14 duty, Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi has named a youthful Lions side to face down the Lions at Aviva Stadium on Friday evening. Benetton out-half Tomas Albornoz, uncapped centre Justo Piccardo and Saracens centre Lucio Cinti are going to have a busy night in Dublin trying to contain this potent Lions midfield. But Contepomi will sense some opportunities, too. Yes, this Aki/Tuipulotu axis will pack a punch but it's also a combination which looks a bit one-paced. Sione Tuipulotu. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan Defensively, they could be exposed. Indeed, neither player – for all their undoubted talent – has looked entirely comfortable at outside centre in the past. Aki had a defensive nightmare in the No13 jersey for Ireland during the 2023 Six Nations when he and Stuart McCloskey struggled to contain a free-running Italian backline in Rome. The Connacht midfielder has always looked his gainline-busting best at inside centre. Ditto, the destructive Tuipulotu. Even his Glasgow head coach Franco Smith came to the same conclusion recently. Tuipulotu started at outside centre against Leinster in the URC quarter-final. But the Scotland skipper was shifted back to his customary position at No12 at the half-time break because he clearly wasn't having the same impact on the game. Bundee Aki tackling Scotland's Sione Tuipulotu at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile It will be fascinating to see how this combination goes against this expirimental Pumas side. It's an imposing combination but it lacks balance. In truth, this feels like an early shoot-out for the inside centre spot ahead of the Test series. Tuipulotu, despite missing the entire Six Nations with injury, remains the favourite to start against the Wallabies. But Aki, who turned 35 in April, is in the shape of his life and has a tonne of credit in the bank with Farrell. On Fridy night, both players will have a chance to lay down an early marker. Because there is unlikely to be space in the starting XV for both, especially when Garry Ringrose and Huw Jones get up to speed. Lions head coach Andy Farrell. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile Farrell's preference is for a midfield which combines power and panache. Go back through previous Lions tour and the starting centres always complimented each other. Whether it was Scott Gibbs and Jeremy Guscott or Brian O'Driscoll lining up alongside Rob Henderson or Jamie Roberts, there were the perfect balance of blunt force, fleet footwork, vision and deft skills. Tuipulotu would appear to have the edge in this midfield battle. The Glasgow centre can offer the same physical presence as his rival, but he has a bit of an edge when it comes to out and out pace. Aki, however, is a hugely underrated distributor and offers so much more than just a crash ball option. Both players are proven leaders in their environments, too. Bundee Aki. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan Both are set for big tours. But there is only going to be room for one behemoth in this Lions midfield. Then again, if they combine to devastating effect in this pre-tour runout and gel as a defensive pairing, then perhaps we might a trend being bucked in the coming weeks. Right now, it's expected that a combination of Aki or Tuipolotu and Jones or Ringrose will face down Joe Schmidt's side in the Test series. The Wallabies backline is laced with pace and the presence of superstar rugby league convert Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will demand that that the Lions have pacy and experienced defender in the outside channels. The Lions midfield was one of many interesting selections made by Farrell and his backroom team on Wednesday. This was a matchday squad which went along expected lines. The late arrival of the Leinster frontliners and the likes of Bath out-half Finn Russell, who were tied up with URC and English Premiership finals last weekend, meant that the crew which pitched up at last week's warm weather training camp in the Algarve had the jump on selection. It's an English heavy starting line-up, with just three Irish starters – and three more on the bench – and a big opportunity to make an early impression on Farrell. Finlay Bealham wasn't even part of the original squad. Zander Fagerson's injury woe allowed the Connacht tighthead to make the cut. All eyes will be on Tadhg Furlong. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile Bealham, who was born and raised in Canberra, needs to make of the most of this start. England's Will Stuart had a big season while Tadhg Furlong, if he can prove his fitness, is a shoo-in to start against Australia. All eyes will be on Furlong, who was last seen in a Leinster shirt in a URC league game against Glasgow on May 17. The Ireland tighthead has a Lions Royal Flush in his sights, as he targets nine consecutive starts spanning tours of New Zealand, South Africa and Australia. But Furlong has been blighted by calf and hamstring injuries for the past two years. Farrell will be praying that the Wexford native has one more tour of duty left in him. Tadhg Beirne packs down with tour captain Maro Itoje in the second row. Many pundits and former players believe that his the lock combination will will start the opening Test in Brisbane on June 19. Tour captain Maro Itoje training with the Lions on Monday. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile Joe McCarthy, James Ryan and the underrated Scott Cummings will have something to say about that. The Munster captain will back himself. His role at the lineout will be vital. The backrow unit of Tom Curry, Jac Morgan and Ben Earl doesn't lack pace, breakdown impact or energy. It doest lack a bit of height, however. Itoje and Beirne will be heavily marked by this Pumas pack. Same goes for the midfield. This will certainly be Aki's last dance in a Lions jersey. He's primed for a massive battle with Tuipulotu and it begins in Ballsbridge.
