Ireland and Lions star despicably abuses referee to put Six Nations at risk
Ireland and Connacht centre Bundee Aki could face disciplinary action this week following his tirade directed at referee Mathieu Raynal following his side’s last gasp loss to Leicester Tigers in the Heineken Champions Cup.
A late Hosea Saumaki try secured a 29-28 win for the Gallagher Premiership leaders at the Sportsground after Connacht had led 28-10 with 20 minutes to go. The Leicester try was mere millimetres from being in touch, which enraged Aki at the end of the game. The inside centre then launched a diatribe at the referee about the decision. Raynal remained calm, however, and replied “If it’s not on the line, you will apologise.”
Aki’s antics have not gone down well online, with plenty of fans calling for Aki to face disciplinary action, which could potentially put the start of his Six Nations in doubt, or at least Connacht’s match against Stade Francais next week.
This is what has been said on Twitter:
Shocking behaviour from Bundee Aki there after the final whistle. Not what you expect from an @IrishRugby international, but we all know he blows hot and cold like there’s no tomorrow. His foot never went out. Apology needed. #CONvLEI #HeinekenChampionsCup
— Chris Donnell (@TheDentalDoctor) January 15, 2022
Bundee Aki should be banned for 1 match for confronting the referee like that… this isn't football #CONvLEIC
— Pil Gilez (@p2_Official) January 15, 2022
https://twitter.com/RucksSake/status/1482399240349442054?s=20
Bundee Aki should be banned for his behaviour towards referee. Disgraceful.
— SmallClone (@Smallclone_) January 15, 2022
Bundee Aki,what you doing man? Try given, game wasn’t lost there. It was lost in the management of that last 15 mins. Sadly Connacht just kept inviting Leicester to run on to them and you can’t do that. Another cracking match
— NLB (@NevsLeftBoot) January 15, 2022
Fans booing the kick? Poor form.
Bundee Aki acting like a child shouting at the referee? Not on.
Be surprised if he doesn’t get disciplined for that.
— Tom Higgins (@TomHiggins8) January 15, 2022
Disgraceful from Connacht and Bundee Aki. No respect for Mr Raynal there! #ConvLeic
— Peter Doherty (@pierrelerouge13) January 15, 2022
@btsportrugby Disgraceful by Bundee Aki at the end of the game. Should face punishment for that outburst and made to apologise to the ref!
— Steve Isaac (@steveisaac32) January 15, 2022
That’s a dreadful reaction from Bundee Aki. Challenging the referee and the decision made. He needs to look at the replay. #ChampionsCup
— Sam Vitty (@samvitty) January 15, 2022
This is an unfortunate end to the match for Aki and Connacht, after the centre produced a wonderful try assist earlier in the match for Cian Prendergast, where his offload actually fooled the Leicester defence, and indeed even the referee initially.
Connacht XV (appearances)
15. Tiernan O’Halloran (197)
14. John Porch (47)
13. Sammy Arnold (26)
12. Bundee Aki (114)
11. Matt Healy (150)
10. Jack Carty (169) (C)
9. Kieran Marmion (196)
1. Matthew Burke (33)
2. Shane Delahunt (110)
3. Finlay Bealham (168)
4. Oisín Dowling (14)
5. Niall Murray (24)
6. Cian Prendergast (18)
7. Conor Oliver (30)
8. Jarrad Butler (83)
Replacements
16. Dave Heffernan (153)
17. Tietie Tuimauga (2)
18. Jack Aungier (22)
19. Ultan Dillane (123)
20. Paul Boyle (63)
21. Caolin Blade (139)
22. Conor Fitzgerald (44)
23. Tom Farrell (67)
Leicester XV [appearances]
15 Bryce Hegarty [5]
14 Freddie Steward [46]
13 Matt Scott [35]
12 Juan Pablo Socino [5]
11 Kini Murimurivalu [31]
10 Freddie Burns [85]
9 Richard Wigglesworth [23]
1 Ellis Genge (c) [100]
2 Nic Dolly [14]
3 Joe Heyes [86]
4 Harry Wells [139]
5 Calum Green [74]
6 Ollie Chessum [22]
7 Tommy Reffell [61]
8 Jasper Wiese [27]
Replacements
16 Charlie Clare [38]
17 James Whitcombe [11]
18 Nephi Leatigaga [54]
19 Tom Manz [0]
20 Francois van Wyk [7]
21 Jack van Poortvliet [33]
22 Dan Kelly [32]
23 Hosea Saumaki [5]
