Ultan Dillane and Bundee Aki sign on for more success with Connacht
The reigning Pro12 champions received a massive boost yesterday when Dillane, 22, and centre Bundee Aki signed contract extensions. Dillane, who was born in Paris, grew up in Tralee after he moved there when he was six. He has been capped five times internationally since his rapid rise from the Connacht academy over the past two years.
The second row played underage rugby for Munster but was snapped up by Connacht. He only made his professional debut for the province two years ago, but having spent three seasons in the academy, progressed to a senior deal in January of that campaign.
Dillane has now featured 34 times and this contract will keep him in at the Sportsground until June 2019. There had been speculation about a move, possibly to Munster, but Dillane rubbished these.
“I am really happy with the extension. It wasn’t a tough decision to make. Connacht gave me all the opportunities I had,” said Dillane.
“With the great group of lads we have, and all of the great things we [have] done last year I see a great future for us. There was a lot of talk and a lot of guesswork more than anything. There was a lot of speculation, but I am happy to be here and I was always going to stay.”
Meanwhile, Aki was linked with clubs abroad and within Ireland, but he will stay with Connacht until after the next World Cup. He becomes eligible for Ireland next October.
His new deal runs until June 2020, and the 26-year-old New Zealander is delighted to have extended his stay.
Aki scored eight tries in 47 appearances for Connacht since his debut at Ospreys two years ago. He won the Pro12 player-of-the-year last season, when Connacht claimed their first silverware in their 131-year history.
“There was heaps of other options, but I was happy where I am, that made it easier. People chase money sometimes and it doesn’t work out,” said Aki.
“Joe Schmidt has spoken to me about how I have been playing. He has been giving me feedback about how I have been performing and things I can work on. Obviously, I want to play rugby to the highest level and, if that opportunity arrives, then I will take it with two hands, but my main focus... is my provincial contract. I am playing with Connacht and I am trying to do as much as I can to make us play really well.”
Coach Pat Lam is proud the players have decided to eschew more lucrative offers.
“It says a lot about both of them and that’s why I am really proud of both of them,” said Lam. “There are some many examples of guys who have gone for money to other places but are not enjoying their rugby at all.”
Recently capped full-back Tiernan O’Halloran, centre Eoin Griffin, and prop Dominic Robertson-McCoy are all back fit for Saturday’s Pro12 derby with Leinster, while new signing Marnitz Boshoff from South Africa has passed a medical and can commence full training.
