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Keith Wood's take on Bundee Aki and the eligibility rules

In the wake of Ireland internationals CJ Stander and Jared Payne,  Bundee Aki is the latest ...



Keith Wood's take on Bunde...
Rugby

Keith Wood's take on Bundee Aki and the eligibility rules

In the wake of Ireland internationals CJ Stander and Jared Payne,  Bundee Aki is the latest case to have sparked a debate about international eligibility. 

The Auckland born Connacht centre will make his Ireland debut during the November Internationals after qualifying under World Rugby's soon-to-be defunct three year residency rules which will go up to five years from 2020.

"I think the three year rule is wrong," said former Ireland captain Keith Wood as he joined us as always on Wednesday Night Rugby

Keith Wood's take on Bundee Aki and the eligibility rules

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"But it is a rule and it's in the law and other teams are using it. You still need to put your best team out on the field where you can within the law and that's what we have to do in this situation because we're trying to prepare now for the next World Cup and trying to get the absolute best out of it. So if Bundee Aki fits into that and it's legal, he does.  

"That's going to change and going to become five years and I think when it does become five years, I do think it takes away a lot this particular type of player that comes over and look, we pursued it because that's what the laws dictated. I would rather have people that are homegrown and are playing for their home international jersey but when other people make a choice to commit themselves for a long period of time, and all I would hope in this instance is that Bundee Aki will stay and play in Ireland for a long period of time.

"I think that's something. If he decides to suddenly disappear soon afterwards, I think that would be hard work for anybody. So what you're really looking for are people to not just play international rugby but to buy into the jersey and buy into the idea of staying in there and delivering for it."

Listen to the full Wednesday Night Rugby on the podcast.


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