Bundee Aki and Patrick Kielty on the Late Late Show(Image: RTE/Instagram)

Late Late Show viewers praise 'brilliant' Bundee Aki as he opens up on becoming Irish citizen

Bundee Aki appeared on the Late Late Show as he spoke about becoming an Irish citizen.

by · Irish Mirror

RTE viewers were full of praise for Bundee Aki after he visited the Late Late Show studio to discuss becoming an Irish citizen.

The Connacht and Ireland star was awarded hs citizenship this week after living in Ireland for the last 10 years.

Aki (34) attended a ceremony at Dublin's Convention Centre where he was joined by 3,600 others to celebrate the big day.

READ MORE: 'An unbelievable privilege' - rugby star Bundee Aki granted Irish citizenship

READ MORE: Bundee Aki Irish citizenship, family life, New Zealand wedding to wife and more

And Aki, who has played 57 times for Ireland, sat down with Patrick Kiely to discuss the momentous day.

Speaking on the Late Late Show, he said: "It was special. It took the whole day for me and my family to realise we are finally citizens of Ireland

"We celebrated together having a nice dinner together and it was a great day. It was a great day and heartwarming.

"It means a lot and it's not just what I do on the pitch. Everything else off the pitch the way they've treated me and my family in Galway and how welcoming they are to me and my kids.

"I feel the love they have given me and for me to get granted citizenship there was no better feeling."

And Aki recounted the decision to move to Ireland 10 years ago: "At the time it was a big decision and it wasn't an easy one. It is a big step, I had a small family.

"To be able to get the call to come over here and for me to take that opportunity and one thing is for sure if I take this opportunity I have to give it everything I've got."

And viewers were full of praise for the Rugby star.

One Late Late Show viewer said: "Bundee Aki is a proper legend of man."

While another added: "Great to see Bundee Aki on the Late Late. What a player!"

And another said: "Fair play to Bundee Aki. Wish him well."

Aki moved to Connacht in 2014, playing close to 150 times before making his debut for Ireland in 2017. Aki has scored 16 tries in his 57 appearances.

Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts.