Bundee Aki delighted fans on and off the pitch as Ireland made it three wins from three in this year's Six Nations with a 31-7 victory over Wales.
Ireland didn't need to be at their best to secure the bonus point victory, but Andy Farrell will be relieved to have emerged victorious against Warren Gatland's side.
Tries from Dan Sheehan and James Lowe contributed to a 17 half-time lead, before Ciaran Frawley got his first Ireland try midway through the second-half and Tadhg Beirne rounded things off to secure the bonus point late on."
Aki had a try of his own ruled out but his overall display was enough to see him named Player of the Match, as he put in yet another superb performance in green.
It was in his interview with RTÉ afterwards that people picked up on his Galway colloqialisms, with the New Zealand native having now spent a decade living in the west of Ireland.
Aki produced three (at least) "sure looks," which confirmed to anyone who was in any doubt, that he is now very much one of us.
"It wasn't the greatest performance from us. We were ill-disciplined"
Ireland's Player of the Match Bundee Aki reacts to the 31-7 win over Wales #IREvWAL #SixNations
📱 Updates - https://t.co/yTLOjzwo3W
📺 Watch live - https://t.co/XnOP6grnB7 pic.twitter.com/8tWKW7ql88— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) February 24, 2024
Bundee Aki "sure looks" his way through interview
"It wasn't the greatest performance from us. We were ill-disciplined and that's big-ups to Wales. They played incredibly well and we're not the finished product yet, we're going to keep improving.
"You've got to give it to them, they're building something special. Look, they put us under the pump. Look, we've got to dust ourselves off and make sure we get better.
"Sure look, all the lads are making it easy for me. Sure look, as long as we got the bonus point win and we have a lot to imoprove on.
"Sure look, we've got to take it week by week and then we go from there against England over in London. Looking forward to it."
🏅 This afternoon's #GuinnessM6N Player of the Match, @IrishRugby's Bundee Aki 🙌 pic.twitter.com/k1jn7suAWP
— Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 24, 2024
Bundee Aki speaks of his love for Ireland
Earlier this week, Aki became emotional when speaking to ITV about what playing for Ireland means to him.
"I would say 'love'," he told the broadcaster. "I love playing for Ireland, I love the people in Ireland. They've given nothing but love. I can only show it back with the way I play and the way I represent the country."
Aki's love for his adopted homeland is now manifesting itself in the way he speaks. It's fair to say the feeling is mutual for Ireland supporters, who have shown their love for the 33-year-old ever since he made his international debut back in 2017.
See Also: Tadhg Furlong Full Of Emotion In First Aviva Game Since Father's Passing
