Lions midfielder Bundee Aki reveals wife gave birth in the back of a car
Photo:
©INPHO/Dan Sheridan, ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan / PHOTOSPORT
British and Irish Lions midfielder Bundee Aki is excited to meet his new daughter, who was born in the back of a car while he was preparing for a test.
The New Zealand-born second-five said after the conclusion of the tour that his wife gave birth to their fifth child just hours before the first Test against Australia in Brisbane on 11 July.
Aki told reporters he was keen for a break and have some family time.
"I haven't seen my family for eight weeks. I have a newborn child who I haven't met yet," he said.
"Yep, a girl, she was born when we were playing in Brisbane, so I haven't met her. Her name is Aine, so I'm looking forward to going and meeting my newborn child and we'll go from there."
His wife Kayla was in New Zealand visiting family when she gave birth.
Aki said he was preparing for the opening Test (he was on the bench) when his wife messaged to say they were on the way to the hospital.
"Five minutes later, she sends a photo - her water had broken. I was like, 'Cool, OK, are you almost there?' This is like 30 or 40 minutes away from the hospital. I said, 'You'll be all right, Mum is there'.
"Ten minutes later, she video calls me and I was like: 'Sh*t, what's going on?' I saw a baby on the video call, so she had it in the car on the way to the hospital.
"She's a powerful woman, a strong woman. If you only knew the story of what happened, it's a funny story in itself."
He then had to refocus on the game.
"I knew it was good 'Juju' [a magical property bringing good luck]. I knew we were going to have a good day," he added.
"All my kids start with A and my wife loved the name Aine. That's five As in the family - Armani, Adrianna, Andronicus [their one son], Ailbhe, and now Aine."
The Lions won the first Test.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero
,
a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
3 hours ago
- RNZ News
Tonga to host Queensland Reds in pre-Rugby World Cup qualifier warm-up
Tonga v Fiji in the 2024 Pacific Nations Cup clash in Nuku'alofa. 6 September 2024 Photo: Tonga Rugby Union The 'Ikale Tahi will host the Queensland Reds at Te'ufaiva Park on 15 August in a game the Tonga Rugby Union (TRU) believes will be critical for their rugby in more ways than one. TRU chief executive Aisea Aholelei said apart from the Reds taking top rugby to local fans to watch, having the Reds continuing with the partnership will be a big boost for the sport as a whole. He said there is also the important pre-Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) clash, which will double-up as a 2027 Rugby World Cup qualifier, that the national side needs testing for before they compete in the series. "The visit from the Reds is not only keeping historical ties close between the two organisations, but also it has come at a very critical time in supporting the preparation of the 'Ikale Tahi team in their campaign to qualify for Rugby World Cup 2027, which starts with the game against Manu Samoa the week following the Reds game in Nuku'alofa," Aholelei said. The Reds started the visits last year, which marked the their first match up in 29 years. The Reds won last year's match against Tonga 41-14 after trailing 14-12 in the first half. With the support of the Australian government, Rugby Australia, and the Reds through the PacificAus Sports-funded Australia-Pacific Rugby Union Partnership (APRUP), Aholelei said the partnership helps bring the nations closer together through a shared love of rugby union. Tongans who have played for the Reds in the past includes current Wallaby Taniela Tupou, brothers Toutai and Steve Kefu, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Feao Fotuaika and former Wallaby star George Smith. The visit will include community activities in Tonga. Reds head coach Les Kiss - the man selected to become the new Wallabies coach - said Tonga will be a tough team on the field, especially since the 'Ikale Tahi will be using the game as their warm-up before they face Manua Samoa in the PNC 2025 opener. "We are again extremely grateful to PacificAus Sports for creating this opportunity to play in Tonga," Kiss said in a Queensland Rugby statement. "We know the size and explosiveness of the Tongan side and the importance of the game as their final hit-out before Rugby World Cup qualifiers in the Pacific Nations Cup. "That offers a great challenge for the Reds to test ourselves against a different game style and develop our squad. "This continued international exposure is part of our strategy to take charge of developing our players and staff which can only be a plus." Reds winger Tim Ryan, who also played in Tonga last year, said he was excited for having the opportunity to meet the Tongans for the second time. "Playing in Tonga last year was a great experience and will be again. Obviously, we are up against big boys and a national team which is a good step up for guys in the Reds squad like me," Ryan said. "I've been lucky to have experienced international games against Wales, Tonga, Bristol, Ulster and the Lions over the past year or so. Some kick a bit more, others like the Tongans will back their power and running more. "It's a real positive to play against different styles and feel prepared." Australian High Commissioner to Tonga Brek Batley said that the match is part of Australia's commitment to sport in Tonga. "Tonga and Australia's shared love of sport is a powerful connection between our two countries, and our friendly rivalry inspires kids to reach for their dreams," he said. "The Australian Government provides Tonga's impressive athletes, as well as its coaches, officials and administrators, with access to international sporting opportunities through PacificAus Sports and strengthens Tongan communities through our Team Up sport for development program. "We're proud to be Tonga's largest sporting partner and support grassroots opportunities for boys and girls all the way through to elite pathways. Bring on the Reds!" Queensland Rugby CEO David Hanham said regular interactions with the Pacific's rugby nations were of mutual benefit. "Deepening the ties with our friends in Tonga is important on and off the field," Hanham said. "As part of the Reds tour last year, there was a wonderful moment when Wallaby great George Smith returned to his old school at Tupou College for a rugby clinic. You could see what it meant to the kids and to George. "Playing Tonga is an important part of the International Program we are building at the Reds and we would like to thank everyone, including our Queensland Premier Rugby clubs, who have contributed to the staging of this game." The 'Ikale Tahi were camping in Auckland and will flew back home on Tuesday to prepare for the Reds and Manu Samoa.
RNZ News
4 hours ago
- RNZ News
Wallabies ditch law limiting selection of overseas based players
Will Skelton of the Wallabies in action against the British and Irish Lions. Photo: AAP / Photosport Rugby Australia has confirmed the rule restricting how many overseas based players Wallabies coaches can pick has been shelved. RA said the rule, often called 'Giteau's Law' after former Wallabies midfielder Matt Giteau, hasn't been enforced for some time. "Joe's (Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt) got no impediment to select whoever he wants. That's always been the case. The Giteau Law's kind of redundant," RA's director of high performance Peter Horne told reporters. Former Wallabies player Matt Giteau. Photo: PHOTOSPORT Despite the change of stance, Horne said Schmidt will give preference to Australian based players ahead of overseas based players if they were deemed the same quality. "But we've also made a choice that we select domestically if the players are of equal calibre, it's important that we invest in our premier competition in Australia." Players such as Wallabies lock Will Skelton, who has played for La Rochelle in France since 2020, is one player who would benefit from the scrapping of the rule. Australia didn't allow overseas-based players representing the Wallabies until 2015, but when players such as Giteau and others decided to head offshore for big money contracts, RA introduced 'Giteau's Law'. The rule meant a certain number of overseas players who had already spent much of their careers playing in Australia could still be selected for the Wallabies. That rule has now been scrapped. The Wallabies open their Rugby Championship campaign against the reigning champion Springboks at Ellis Park on 17 August.
RNZ News
5 hours ago
- RNZ News
Will O'Rourke ruled out of Zimbabwe test as injury list mounts
Will O'Rourke Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ Black Caps pace bowler Will O'Rourke has been ruled out of the second cricket test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo with a back injury. Four uncapped bowlers are now in contention to make their test debuts when the second test starts on Thursday. O'Rourke experienced back stiffness on day three of the Black Caps nine-wicket victory last week after taking three for 28 from his 10 overs in the second innings. He departs Zimbabwe today and will undergo further medical assessment when he arrives back in New Zealand. Left-arm seamer Ben Lister Photo: Photosport Auckland Aces left-arm seamer Ben Lister, who was called in to provide additional pace-bowling cover, will remain with the squad for the test series. Two days ago pace-bowling allrounder Nathan Smith was ruled out of the remainder of the series with an abdominal injury. Zak Foulkes, who recently played in the T20I Tri-Series against Zimbabwe and South Africa, was called into his first test squad to replace Smith, who recorded three for 20 in Zimbabwe's first innings. Captain Tom Latham also missed the opening test with a shoulder injury and it's not known yet if he will be available for the second test. Black Caps bowling coach Jacob Oram said they were being cautious with O'Rourke. "We are hopeful it's nothing too serious but when he's so important to our side for the next six to eight months but also next year with all the test cricket we have got some big tours we need to make sure we look after that big guy and ensure that it's okay," Oram said. Matt Fisher Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2025 Foulkes and Lister could make their test debuts in the second match of the two-test series. Uncapped fast bowlers Jacob Duffy and Matt Fisher are also in contention. "There's a very good chance there's a debutant playing in the second test," Oram said. "It's also nice to see the fresh faces and from my perspective as the bowling coach, I know these guys have got the skills. I see it in the nets, I see their development and improvement and I can't wait to see whoever it is that gets that first cap, get out there and do their thing." The pace attack will be spearheaded by Matt Henry who grabbed a nine-wicket haul in the first test. Oram said Henry had solidified his place in the test team. "He had to bide his time behind [Neil] Wagner, [Tim] Southee, and [Trent] Boult a few years ago but now he's sort of the man in the side and I think he's really grasped that leadership role. "Not only in terms of providing input and experience for others but just his skills, he bowls an immaculate length and line, he's able to move the ball both ways, can bowl a bouncer at good pace. What more could you want, so he's doing really well at the moment." Oram said the challenge to the New Zealand bowlers in the second test will be how they can replicate their success in the opening match. "You can do it once but can you do it over and over again in a test series and that's a challenge in itself."
