Bundee Aki’s Monster 'High-ish' Tackle Sparks Heated Debate Online

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After a review by TMO Leo Colgan, the tackle was deemed perfectly legal. "Execution pin-point from Bundee Aki," noted commentator Morris, with Andrew Osborne, the unfortunate recipient of the hit, "still feeling it."

Former England star Tom May took to X (formerly Twitter) to get the ball rolling:
"Good tackle? Bad tackle? Surely this is going to properly divide opinion. Thoughts?"

Rugby journalist Paul Williams chimed in with his perspective:
"We all want greater player safety. But that is a fantastic tackle. It just looks bad due to Aki's power. Correct shoulder, low enough, wrap."

The debate didn't stop there. One fan defended Aki’s technique, explaining:
"First contact is clearly below the shoulder & he makes an attempt to wrap. Only issue is he hits him so hard it makes the wrap nigh on impossible & makes it look like head contact from folding the ball carrier. All for making the game safer, but these tackles aren’t the issue."

But not everyone was convinced. Another fan raised concerns:
"Too high, look what it has done to the head due to the proximity of the tackler’s shoulder to the player’s head. If the player had dived a split second earlier, he’d have taken off the other player’s head. Should have got his shoulders a full foot lower."

A former referee added his voice to the conversation:
"I can’t decide. As a former ref, I’m glad I wasn’t reffing this as I’m not convinced he didn’t lead with the shoulder, and I don’t think there’s enough attempt to wrap. Rugby is tying itself in knots, but those saying 'the game's gone soft' aren’t thinking about player welfare."

Here’s a look at five players who’ll be hoping for a quick turnaround after a tough weekend on the pitch.

Exeter Chiefs were left reeling as Newcastle Falcons snapped their 25-match losing streak with a 25-18 win. Tuima, who’s been in the conversation for England, had a day to forget.

His biggest issue? Giving away careless penalties in the middle of the field. These gave Newcastle perfect opportunities to kick for the corner, setting up camp in Exeter’s half and ultimately piling on the pressure. For Tuima, this was definitely one of those "could’ve done better" days.

It was a rough week for Roots. Dropped from the England squad ahead of the Autumn internationals, the flanker had a chance to make a statement against Newcastle. But instead, his frustrations got the better of him.

A reckless late hit on Falcons fly-half Grayson gave away a penalty at a crucial moment, allowing Newcastle to relieve the pressure and gain valuable ground. Petulant moments like this won’t win you points in the England selection room.

Fresh off a hat-trick last weekend, Ibitoye was flying high. But Saracens brought him crashing back down to earth with a thrilling 37-35 win at Ashton Gate. Ibitoye’s downfall?

A reckless yellow card for twice taking Daly out when he wasn’t involved, followed by a moment of madness when he drove over a ruck and played Gareth Simpson’s arm, giving away the penalty that allowed Saracens to win it with a last-gasp kick. Risky play, and this time it backfired.

Gloucester’s lineout issues continued despite focused training this week. England hooker Jack Singleton had a tough time at Welford Road, with multiple lineouts picked off by the Tigers.

Despite a brilliant hat-trick from Max Llewellyn, Singleton’s set-piece struggles were part of the reason Gloucester couldn’t hold onto their 11-point half-time lead. A frustrating day for the hooker.

Mercer has been one of Gloucester’s standout players this season, but even he couldn’t leave his mark in their narrow loss to Leicester.

The number eight had a relatively quiet afternoon by his own high standards, with only one truly eye-catching run to his name. For a player with England ambitions, he’ll be hoping for a much bigger impact next time out.

Spoiler alert: it’s not a Welshman. In fact, there’s not a single Welsh player in the entire lineup! Care and fellow former England international Mark Atkinson have chosen a squad packed with English and Irish stars, leaving the Welsh out in the cold.

Williams was the only Welsh name brought up on Care's Hits Different podcast, with Atkinson saying, “I’ve seen a big impact from him joining Gloucester. He’s got 40-odd Wales caps [58 now], and if there’s one Welsh player to make the tour, it’s him.” But even that wasn't enough to earn him a place in their Lions XV.

Care, meanwhile, was clear in his verdict: Ireland’s Jamison Gibson-Park is "the best scrum-half" around, with Alex Mitchell close behind. Sorry, Tomos!

The surprises didn’t stop there – Care and Atkinson picked England’s Marcus Smith over Scotland's Finn Russell at No. 10, while the midfield saw a bruising combination of Ireland’s Bundee Aki and England’s Ollie Lawrence.

Another shocker? The Cardiff-born Immanuel Feyi-Waboso made the wing, alongside Scotland’s Duhan van der Merwe. And, to cap it all off, England’s George Furbank took the full-back spot over Ireland's Hugo Keenan

15. George Furbank: An agile fullback known for his versatility and impressive kicking game, Furbank has made a name for himself with his ability to read the game and contribute in attack and defense.

14. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso: A rising star in the rugby scene, Feyi-Waboso is recognized for his explosive speed and powerful running style, making him a significant threat on the wing.

13. Ollie Lawrence: A dynamic centre with a strong physical presence, Lawrence excels in breaking tackles and creating space for his teammates, contributing both defensively and offensively.

12. Bundee Aki: A seasoned centre known for his robust tackling and strong ball-carrying abilities, Aki brings experience and leadership to the midfield, often acting as a key playmaker.

11. Duhan van der Merwe: A powerful wing with a knack for scoring tries, van der Merwe combines size with speed, making him a difficult player to stop in one-on-one situations.

10. Marcus Smith: A talented fly-half known for his creativity and tactical awareness, Smith is adept at orchestrating play and has a keen eye for gap opportunities in the defense.

9. Jamison Gibson-Park: A sharp and agile scrum-half, Gibson-Park is recognised for his quick decision-making and ability to control the pace of the game, making him a vital link between forwards and backs.

1. Ellis Genge: A formidable loosehead prop with a strong scrummaging technique, Genge is also known for his ball-carrying abilities and aggression in the contact area.

2. Jamie George: An experienced hooker, George is a key figure in the scrum and lineout, combining technical skill with strong leadership qualities, often serving as a stabilizing force in the forward pack.

3. Tadhg Furlong: One of the world's premier tighthead props, Furlong is renowned for his scrummaging prowess and ability to contribute to open play, showcasing exceptional athleticism for his position.

4. Maro Itoje: A dynamic lock with exceptional physicality and athleticism, Itoje is a key defensive player, known for his ability to disrupt opposition ball and make crucial tackles.

5. Tadhg Beirne: A versatile forward capable of playing both lock and flanker, Beirne is recognized for his work rate, breakdown skills, and ability to contribute to the team's attacking play.

6. Courtney Lawes: A powerful and athletic second-row, Lawes is known for his aggressive tackling and leadership on the field, providing both physical presence and strategic insight to the team.

7. Josh van der Flier: A tireless openside flanker, van der Flier is known for his exceptional work rate and ability to make crucial turnovers, often leading the defensive efforts.

8. Caelan Doris (captain): As the captain of the team, Doris is a dynamic back-row player known for his physicality and leadership skills, playing a crucial role in both defense and attack, while also motivating his teammates.