Bundee’s Irish success makes me proud: Tana
By DAIRE WALSH
ALL BLACKS legend Tana Umaga has revealed his immense pride in how former compatriot Bundee Aki has developed into a top-level international star.
Before signing terms with Connacht in 2014, the current Ireland centre was coached by Umaga during a three-year stint at Counties Manukau in New Zealand.
“From a personal point of view, obviously being a New Zealander, you always want the best for the All Blacks. But as a coach who wants to see the best for their players, my philosophy is about allowing people to live the dream. Like I have and am still able to do today,” Umaga said of Aki.
“Seeing players who can provide and still live the dream, in this great game that we have, it makes me proud. Whether that is for Ireland or anything, I’m 100 per cent behind Bundee.”
Aki had openly expressed in the past the crucial role Umaga played in launching his rugby career, having first encountered the Wellington native while working as a bank teller.
Although it is tempting to imagine how he might have fitted into Steve Hansen’s All Blacks set-up, Umaga acknowledged he was right to seek opportunities elsewhere.
“Players who do well and achieve are always the ones that get away. It’s all about opportunity. As you can see with our depth, Sonny Bill Williams was coming through, Ma’a Nonu was there and you had some young midfielders coming through.
“He decided to go and it turned out the way it has. The opportunity is the key thing. Bundee is the one who has to put in the effort and do the work. He’s been able to do that which is great.”