CONNACHT COACH ANDY Friend said the education program Bundee Aki must undergo if he tries to reduce his eight-week suspension is far from a simple exercise and if he gets it the center will be 1 He said he would get a week’s grace.
The 32-year-old has been suspended against Ireland’s Springboks and Fiji, but could potentially play against Australia if he is approved to complete the Head Contact Process Coaching Intervention Program.
Aki was sent off for the third time in his career for a reckless tackle shortly after he faced the Stormers at the URC in September, and was suspended for eight weeks.
If he successfully completes the Head Contact Process Coaching Intervention Program, his ban will be shortened by one week, but Friend said this would not be easy.
Some of Aki’s coaches and teammates at Connacht, along with the state’s video and analysis crew, had to work with him to complete the program to the high level required.
Basically, the coach has to explain and show the correct tackling procedure on video, and then Aki runs it several times in different scenarios, recording all of this from different angles and making it an acceptable standard for disciplinary bodies. there is. Added essay questions.
“It was really intense and Bundy went through the on-field technical side of the breakdown area, went through some questionnaires, some video work he had to do. , and then all must be supported by a coach,” Friend said.
He added that the coaches, players and technical staff would all be involved in the process over several days at the sports ground, with scrum and contact coach Colm Tucker leading the process and several of Aki’s teammates to help demonstrate. participated in.
“Cory Tucker is the guy who took care of that, but that’s another job for him and Bundy. Because it’s about making sure that the lessons are learned.
“It will all be put together and sent, and all its quality, the technology involved, the questionnaires, the quality of the videography, etc. will all be inspected, and if it is approved, he will be exempted from the one-week suspension. Certainly not a box-tick exercise.
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“This isn’t just for Bundy, it’s for all suspended players who have the option of getting a reduced amount through this educational process. There are a lot of things involved. and any player who gets a week off will definitely get it,” added Friend.
Aki has missed Connacht’s games against the Bulls, Leinster, Munster, Scarlets and Ospreay, in addition to international matches against South Africa and Fiji.
If he successfully completes the Head Contact Process coaching intervention program, he will be available for the November 19th game against the Wallabies, though it remains to be seen whether he will be recalled by Andy Farrell.
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