Returning Aki sets the standard in Connacht’s best display so far

Inside Track with John McIntyre

CONNACHT produced their best display of the new PRO14 campaign against the best team they have encountered so far at the Sportsground last Saturday. It was an occasion which marked the return of Bundee Aki to centre duties and the Irish international set the tone for the Westerners’ most cohesive and energetic display of the Autumn

Aki was in the zone from the start; mad for work; and relishing the contact zone. He has always been an understandable crowd favourite and it’s easy to see why when the New Zealander continues to repeatedly lay his body on the line for the Connacht cause. Aki helped to inspire a 33-20 victory over a strong Scarlets outfit which contained a host of Welsh internationals.

Having jettisoned Kieran Keane after just one year in charge as Head Coach, there was pressure on all the major stakeholders at the Sportsground for improved results under the new man in charge Andy Friend. To be honest, the jury was out after Connacht’s first three games in the PRO14, but Saturday’s performance was a major step in the right direction.

Having lost a comfortable lead in their opening outing against Glasgow; being hit and miss in their win over Zebre; and taking a physical buffeting in their seven-point away defeat to Edinburgh, Connacht needed to make a statement against their Welsh visitors. A crowd of nearly 6,000 turned up on College Road and they must have departed the venue delighted with what they saw.

Scarlets had headed to Galway in fine fettle after a home victory over Leinster. They were clearly up for the match and with the likes of Leigh Halfpenny in their ranks, brought some star quality to the Sportsground. They scored a couple of well-worked tries from Johnny McNicholl and Tom Prydie, but were still 13-points adrift at the finish.

That shows how good Connacht were. They turned on the gas early when a typical Aki break paved the way for his centre partner Tom Farrell to dive over from close range after just seven minutes. Subsequently Cian Kelleher showed an electric turn of pace down the left wing for his team’s second try which was again converted by in-form out half Jack Carty.

Connacht led at the interval by 20-13, but they still had to maintain a high level of intensity to complete the job. Scarlets were only six points behind five minutes from the end and trying to launch an attack when replacement scrum half Caolin Blade somehow retrieved possession and Sean O’Brien did the donkey work for Niyi Adeolokun to scamper clear and dot down between the posts.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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