A new book by Curraghboy native, John Scally, details the close friendship between legendary Athlone rugby star Robbie Henshaw and his fellow Irish international Bundee Aki.
‘Bundee Aki arrived in Galway as a 24-year-old that had spurned a chance of representing the All Blacks. He was an instant fans favourite tearing into defences and bringing Connacht to the cusp of the Champions Cup. By the end of his second season, he had not only been the inspiration for Connacht to win the Guinness PRO12 title but was also named the league’s best player. He really bought into Connacht’s team ethos.
‘This was most tellingly revealed when Robbie Henshaw had his laptop stolen. There was a tracking advice on the computer so Aki rounded up Jack Carty (I should declare at this point that as I am from the same parish as the great Connacht fly-half our cat is called ‘Jack’ in homage to the great one ) and half the team and went in search of the thief. A short time later they showed up at Henshaw’s door and handed him back the laptop. Details of their exchange with the thief are as strictly guarded as the third secret of Fatima.’
An extract from John Scally’s new book ‘100 Funny Irish Rugby Moments’ which is available in all good bookshops now.
