BUNDEE AKI beat not one, not two, not four, but three England players on the way to scoring a crucial try for Ireland in the Six Nations.
The popular Ireland and Connacht centre powered over in the left-hand corner to bring Simon Easterby’s men level at the Aviva Stadium.
𝐁𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐄𝐄𝐄𝐄𝐄𝐄! 💥💥💥
Like a bulldozer out on the wing!#IREvENG | #GuinnessM6N pic.twitter.com/8dnt4argfP
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 1, 2025
After being found by a looping Sam Prendergast pass, Aki smashed through England talisman Marcus Smith.
And when he was confronted by Alex Mitchell and Tommy Freeman, the 34-year-old battered his way past BOTH to touch down.
Reacting to his display of immense power, fans praised Aki as an “absolute beast”.
Stewart posted: “Bundee Aki. Unreal strength to get over the line.” while Oryna joked: “Bundee Aki running straight at you should be included in a 1000 ways to die”
Harri said: “God, I love Bundee Aki. What a man”
Robert posted: “Bundee Aki doing Bundee Aki things.
“Closing the door halfway isn’t enough and he wins 2 collisions on his way to the tryline. 2 missed conversions worrying for Ireland.”
Ireland trailed 10-5 at half-time before staging their comeback to take control in their Six Nations opener.
And with that came a more buoyant atmosphere at the Aviva Stadium compared to a more subdued one in the first-half.
It was a topic of conversation on Virgin Media before the game, with pockets of seats only filling up as the game approached kick-off.
When both sets of teams left the field following their warm-up, host Joe Molloy asked the panel if the atmosphere was “a bit flat”.
Former Ireland international Shane Horgan responded: “Let’s see what it’s like when they walk on. The atmosphere against England is always strong.
“The other thing is we talk too much about what the crowd do.
“The crowd reacts to what Ireland do and how they play and if Ireland plough into this time in the first five minutes, the crowd will be into it.”
His former teammate Rob Kearney was in agreement, adding: “Sometimes there is always a bit of a lack of atmosphere here.
“We are not blessed to have an extra 30,000 seats. I couldn’t agree with Shane more.
“The teams needs to get the crowd into it but I promise you once the anthems come and we fill up in here, the place will be rocking.”
However, that did not manifest in a first-half which saw Ireland fall behind to an early Caden Murley try.
‘SERIOUS QUESTION’
After Marcus Smith was sent to the sin-bin, Jamison Gibson-Park got Ireland off the mark with try well-worked with James Lowe.
Smith returned to the field to kick a late penalty as Steve Borthwick‘s men took a 10-5 lead into the break.
And fans on social media pointed to the atmosphere at the ground being reflectively flat.
Dylan asked: “Serious question – is the atmosphere dead at Six Nations games at the Aviva Stadium? It sounds lifeless through the television.”
Alastair posted: “I know exactly what to expect from the Aviva Stadium though… Lifeless so far. Opening of the Six Nations.
“The big idea to generate pre-match atmosphere was a solo of The Fields [of Athenry]?!”
Rob said: “Trying to improve the atmosphere at the Aviva…..let’s play Dirty old town mid match”
Josh lamented: “It’s well documented, but I can confirm that the atmosphere at the Aviva is awful.”
