Sean Farrell reports from the Sportsground
BUNDEE AKI’S FIRST start of the season for Connacht was utterly devastating on last year’s Pro14 finalists Scarlets as they fell to a 33-20 defeat.
The centre set the tone and tempo for the Westerners from the opening minutes with powerful carries through contact. And head coach Andy Friend paid tribute to the way in which the Grand Slam winner then typified the efforts to maintain the collective energy throughout the contest.
“The other thing is, he puts the fear of god in the opposition. He’s a baller that boy. I reckon their 10 didn’t want to see another sight of Bundee Aki, which is good.”
Source: James Crombie/INPHO
Out-half Carty, who must have run Aki very close for the official man of the match award, noted that communication on top of physicality is a vital component of Connacht’s defence when Aki is on board.
In attack, the Roscommon man ensured his centre’s ability to attract defensive attention was used to create space elsewhere on the field.
“Bundee brings physicality and he’ll draw defenders and open up space on the outside,” says Carty, who kicked seven from seven off the tee during the win.
“He draws defenders and, if you keep playing him in, he’ll open up space later on.”
Through a breathless opening four-minute exchange in which both teams turned over and mounted swift attacks, it appeared as though there would be space aplenty throughout the match ahead. However, Carty’s ability to manage the flow of the contest for his pack – dominant in the set-piece and at the breakdown – tightened the game and squeezed Scarlets back into their own territory for a staggering 74% of the match.