Bundee Aki – Biography, Height, Age, Wife and Career Stats

Bundee Aki is a New Zealand-born professional rugby union player who represents Ireland at the international level and plays his club rugby for Connacht. Known for his powerful centre play, he has also been selected for the British & Irish Lions. His journey from South Auckland to the top of world rugby is a story of talent, hard work, and a unique career path that has made him a key figure in Irish rugby.

Born Fua Leiofi Bundellu Aki on 7 April 1990 in Ōtāhuhu, Auckland, he grew up in the suburb of Manurewa. He attended Manurewa High School and played provincial rugby for Counties Manukau before moving into Super Rugby with the Chiefs. After a successful stint in New Zealand, he moved to Ireland in 2014 to join Connacht, a decision that would define his professional life.

Aki qualified for Ireland through residency and made his international debut in 2017. He has since become a mainstay in the Irish backline, earning over 65 caps and winning multiple Six Nations titles, including Grand Slams. In 2024, he became an Irish citizen, holding dual citizenship with New Zealand.

Who is Bundee Aki? Biography and Background

• Bundee Aki is one of the few New Zealand-born players to represent Ireland at the highest level.
• He won the Pro12 (now URC) with Connacht in 2016 and has been selected for two British & Irish Lions tours (2021, 2025).
• His salary is not publicly disclosed but estimated based on IRFU contracts and top-tier player status.
• He is married to Kayla Aki and has five children.
• He worked briefly as a bank teller after school before returning to rugby full-time.
• He was named Pro12 Player of the Season in 2016 after Connacht’s historic title win.
• He has represented Ireland at two Rugby World Cups (2019, 2023).

Bundee Aki’s Physical Stats: Height, Weight, and Age

Bundee Aki’s physical profile is well-documented across official sources, though slight variations exist between different databases. According to the British & Irish Lions official site, he is listed at 1.77 m tall and weighs 105 kg. Ultimate Rugby and Kiddle list him at 1.78 m and 102 kg. These minor differences are common in sports profiling and do not affect his reputation as a powerful, compact centre.

At 35 years old (as of 2025), Aki continues to perform at an elite level. His age places him among the more experienced players in the Irish squad, but his playing style—built on strength, low centre of gravity, and defensive solidity—has aged well. He remains a key selection for both Connacht and Ireland.

How does his height compare to other centres?

At around 1.78 m, Aki is slightly shorter than the average international centre, who typically stands between 1.80 m and 1.85 m. However, his weight—among the heaviest in his position—gives him a distinct physical advantage in contact situations. His low centre of gravity makes him exceptionally difficult to tackle and allows him to generate significant power in close quarters.

Has his weight changed over his career?

Aki’s weight has remained relatively stable throughout his professional career. Early in his time at the Chiefs, he was listed around 98 kg, but he added mass after moving to Connacht and adapting to the more physical European game. The current range of 102–105 kg reflects his mature physique as an established international player.

Bundee Aki’s Salary and Personal Life

Information about Bundee Aki’s salary is not publicly available in any of the official sources reviewed. Rugby salaries for players contracted to the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) and provincial teams like Connacht are typically not disclosed in player profiles or official team statements. Any specific figure circulating online would be speculative unless supported by a credible, separate salary report.

What is known is that Aki signed a one-year contract extension with Connacht in December 2024, keeping him at the club through the end of the 2025–26 season. This extension suggests he remains a valued and well-compensated member of the squad, though exact financial terms remain private.

Who is Bundee Aki’s wife?

Bundee Aki is married to Kayla Aki. Recent reporting from ESPN in 2025 highlighted that Aki missed the birth of his fifth child while on British & Irish Lions duty. According to the report, his wife gave birth in a car on the way to the hospital during the first Test of the Lions tour. The sources provided do not include a full public biography for Kayla or detailed information about their family beyond this mention.

Aki’s personal life has generally remained private, with limited public appearances or interviews about his family. His Instagram bio includes the phrase “Everything that I have is by the Grace of God,” reflecting his faith, but he does not frequently share personal details on social media.

Bundee Aki’s Rugby Career: Position, Team, and Achievements

Bundee Aki plays as a centre, primarily at inside centre (number 12) for Ireland and outside centre (number 13) for Connacht. His position requires a blend of physicality, defensive organisation, and attacking vision—qualities he has demonstrated consistently throughout his career.

Early career in New Zealand

Aki’s rugby journey began at Manurewa High School in South Auckland. He played provincial rugby for Counties Manukau and earned a spot with the Chiefs in Super Rugby. He was part of the Chiefs squad that won the Super Rugby title in 2013, a significant achievement that put him on the radar of international clubs. After the 2013 season, he signed with Connacht in April 2014, moving to Ireland ahead of the 2014–15 season.

Connacht and the Pro12 title

Aki quickly became a key player for Connacht. His impact was most visible during the 2015–16 season, when Connacht won the Pro12 title for the first time in the club’s history. Aki was named Pro12 Player of the Season for his performances. He has remained with Connacht ever since, signing multiple contract extensions, most recently in December 2024 through the 2025–26 season.

Ireland international career

After completing the three-year residency requirement, Aki made his Ireland debut in 2017. He has since earned over 65 caps, according to the Lions official site. His international honours include multiple Six Nations Championships, Triple Crowns, and Grand Slams (2018, 2023). He has also represented Ireland at two Rugby World Cups (2019, 2023).

British & Irish Lions

Aki was selected for the British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa in 2021, where he made multiple appearances including Test match action. His profile on the Lions website also lists him as part of the 2025 Lions tour squad, marking his second Lions selection. This achievement places him among a select group of players to represent the Lions on multiple tours.

Bundee Aki’s Career Timeline

1. 7 April 1990: Born Fua Leiofi Bundellu Aki in Ōtāhuhu, Auckland, New Zealand.
2. Early 2000s: Attends Manurewa High School, plays school and provincial rugby for Counties Manukau.
3. 2012–2013: Plays for the Chiefs in Super Rugby, wins the Super Rugby title in 2013.
4. April 2014: Signs for Connacht ahead of the 2014–15 season.
5. 2015–16: Part of Connacht’s historic Pro12 title win; named Pro12 Player of the Season.
6. 2017: Makes Ireland debut after completing residency qualification.
7. 2018: Wins Six Nations Grand Slam with Ireland.
8. 2019: Represents Ireland at the Rugby World Cup in Japan.
9. 2021: Selected for British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa; makes Test appearances.
10. 2023: Wins another Six Nations Grand Slam with Ireland; plays at Rugby World Cup in France.
11. 2024: Becomes an Irish citizen; signs one-year contract extension with Connacht through 2025–26.
12. 2025: Selected for British & Irish Lions tour to Australia.

What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About Bundee Aki

What Makes Bundee Aki’s Playing Style Distinctive?

Bundee Aki is widely regarded as a powerful, physical centre who excels in defence and ball-carrying. His relatively short stature for a centre, combined with his heavy weight, gives him a low centre of gravity that makes him extremely difficult to stop in contact. He is known for his strong tackle technique and his ability to break the gain line consistently.

His eligibility switch from New Zealand to Ireland was part of a broader trend of players moving between nations under World Rugby’s residency rules. Aki’s decision to represent Ireland has been significant for Irish rugby, providing depth and physicality in the centre position. He has been a consistent performer for Ireland under head coach Andy Farrell, forming effective midfield partnerships with players like Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose.

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At Connacht, Aki has been a talismanic figure. His presence has helped raise the profile of the club and contributed to its most successful period, including the 2016 Pro12 title. He remains an important leader within the squad, mentoring younger players and providing experience in key matches.

Sources and Quotes

“Everything that I have is by the Grace of God.”

— Bundee Aki, Instagram bio

Official team statements from Connacht Rugby and the Irish Rugby Football Union have consistently praised Aki’s contributions. The Connacht Rugby website describes him as a “key player” and notes his importance to the squad. The British & Irish Lions official site highlights his Test appearances and tour involvement, confirming his status as a Lions player across two tours.

Statistical data from RugbyPass and World Rugby provide additional context for his performances, though detailed match logs are not included in the sources reviewed. The ESPN report from 2025 provides the most recent personal detail, confirming his wife’s name and the birth of his fifth child.

What’s Next for Bundee Aki?

Bundee Aki is expected to feature prominently in the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia, marking his second Lions selection. He remains a key player for Ireland under Andy Farrell, and his contract extension with Connacht through the 2025–26 season suggests he intends to continue playing at the highest level. Depending on form and fitness, he could aim for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, though no official statements about his long-term plans have been made. Contract negotiations and potential retirement rumours will be monitored as his current deal approaches its end.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Bundee Aki