Bundee Aki: I've more to offer & more goals to achieve

Bundee Aki believes there's plenty more to come and feels he’s in the right place to replicate his 2023 form.

Yesterday named the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland men’s player of the year, the Connacht centre has a contract with the IRFU that will take him up to the end of the 2024/25 season.

The New Zealand native, who turns 34 in April, was Ireland’s outstanding player last year, with his dynamic running and hard-carrying yielding eight tries in 14 Tests, and a host of player of the match awards.

His performances, including a man of the match showing in Ireland's pool victory over champions South Africa, were also recognised by World Rugby when he was named in last year’s dream team.

"I certainly believe that there’s a lot more that I can definitely offer and keep going after things, and achieve goals here and there," said Aki.

"I 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 looking to achieve more."

Ireland, ranked number one in the world going into the tournament, once again lost out in the quarter-final, losing 28-24 to New Zealand.

"Obviously you build towards a World Cup for four years and the amount of work you put in for that competition is huge, and I think as a group we were devastated by the result because of the ambition we had as a group," added the former Chiefs man, who has 52 Ireland caps and one Lions Test appearance to his name.

"We grew as a group and as a team we want to inspire a nation, and the support of the fans in all those five games was incredible.

"When you work so hard for two or three years to get to that stage for the World Cup you obviously feel sad when you don’t