Bundee Aki's decision to nearly quit rugby explained

After falling out of the professional pathway in New Zealand, he found himself without financial security and questioning whether the sport could offer him a future.

At one stage, Aki was balancing unpaid training sessions with regular work just to get by. With no guarantee of a contract and bills to pay, the idea of giving up rugby and focusing on a stable job was very real.

Aki’s first turning point came through his family, particularly his mum. She urged him not to give up on rugby just yet and encouraged him to return and give it another shot. That push didn’t instantly solve his situation, but it kept him in the game long enough for something else to fall into place.

The biggest intervention came from his close friend Tim Nanai-Williams. Seeing Aki stuck between work and unpaid rugby commitments, he challenged him to fully commit. He told him to “gut it out” and back his talent, knowing he had what it took to make it.

It was exactly the push Aki needed. He quit his job, backed himself, and threw everything into rugby once again.

That decision paid off when coach Tana Umaga brought him into the Counties Manukau setup. It wasn’t glamorous — early mornings, no pay initially — but it gave Aki a pathway back into professional rugby.

From there, his career took off, eventually leading him to Connacht and on to international success with Ireland.

What looked like the end of the road turned out to be the moment that changed everything.