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Rugby

15th Apr 2017

Bundee Aki’s post-match treatment of the referee has no place in rugby

Such a shame to see this

Sean McMahon

Damn, this is a shame.

Saturday evening’s clash at the Sportsground between Connacht and Leinster was an absolute cracker.

Leinster ran out 37-24 winners in what was an exhilarating game of rugby.

Seven tries, including five from the away side, meant that punters definitely got their monies worth and for all those who took the time out to watch the game on TV.

The result means Leinster have consolidated their top position in the PRO 12 table.

They are three points ahead of Munster who are in second.

Connacht meanwhile, lie in eighth position, meaning they are destined for a playoff fixtures to ensure their Champions Cup participation next season.

One of the key narratives to Saturday evening’s fixture in Galway was the performance of Bundee Aki.

The Connacht fan favourite put in an energetic performance which we have come accustomed to.

However, he was also quite vocal with the referee, and this was beginning to get on the nerves of man in the middle, Ian Davies.

Here was the first exchange between Davies and captain John Muldoon.

Davies: “John, let’s turn Bundee’s volume down a bit again.”

Muldoon: “He’s been good.”

Davies: “He’s got a bit loud now so turn him down.”

After that, there was another exchange between the referee and Muldoon.

Only this time, Aki was called over to so he knew exactly what the problem was.

The referee warned Muldoon that one more bit of backchat from Aki, and he would be off the field.

Thankfully it didn’t come to that but what happened once the game ended definitely leaves a sour taste.

Aki looks to give Davies the cold shoulder in the respected and traditional post-game handshakes and we must say, this sort of thing doesn’t belong in rugby.

https://twitter.com/Sean_McMahon89/status/853356778532327427

We can understand Aki feeling aggrieved and pissed off after losing such an important game.

But his behaviour is unacceptable and you just know this sort of thing would not have gone unnoticed by Joe Schmidt who was watching on from the stands.

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