IRFU accused of ‘double standards’ over Bundee Aki axing but strong statement shows they have learnt from past failures
Ireland and Connacht centre Bundee Aki, and legendary fly-half Johnny Sexton.
The Irish Rugby Football Union have been accused of “double standards” in the wake of their decision to punish Bundee Aki for “disrespecting” match officials, but they must deserve credit for their strong stance.
Ireland have dropped the experienced centre from the squad ahead of their Six Nations campaign following an incident in Connacht’s United Rugby Championship defeat to Leinster at the weekend.
An internal investigation is underway while Aki will also appear in front of an independent disciplinary panel over his conduct towards referee Eoghan Cross on Saturday.
IRFU’s strong statement
“The IRFU can confirm that Bundee Aki has not travelled with the men’s senior squad to Portugal for disciplinary reasons,” an IRFU statement read.
“The IRFU does not tolerate any form of disrespect shown towards match officials and does not condone actions that fall below the standards expected of players representing Irish rugby.”
While it is a very strong statement from the governing body, it has opened them up to criticism, given their unwillingness to do the same when Johnny Sexton and Mack Hansen launched tirades against officialdom.
Both Sexton (in 2023) and Hansen (2025) were banned for three matches after their unacceptable comments towards Jaco Peyper and Chris Busby respectively.
Fans duly took to social media to express their displeasure over the Aki situation, with one writing: “Did they release a statement when sexton did it every week ?? Wonder what the difference is.”
Sexton, who now works for the governing body in a coaching capacity, was a constant theme in the comments after he regularly made his feelings known towards officials during his playing days.
“Double standards from the IRFU.. Sexton was allowed to do it and completely ruined preparation for that years world cup,” one person wrote, while another added: “If the IRFU had implemented this policy years ago Sexton wouldn’t have played more than 5 test matches.”
Although that reaction is entirely understandable, the statement does at least suggest that they have taken on board the criticism of recent years, with Busby himself hitting out at the governing body.
Busby announced his retirement from refereeing following the Hansen controversy and did not hold back when revealing his dissatisfaction with the IRFU, citing a lack of “genuine support”.
Have the IRFU changed or is it a cynical ploy?
If this statement has come as a result of that incident in December 2024 then it is to their credit that they have listened to the former match official and adapted.
Equally, you can’t help but shake the feeling that had it been someone of Sexton’s importance doing this, rather than a player that is getting towards the end of their career, the reaction from the IRFU might have been very different.
While Aki was once a top-class international and someone who was Ireland’s best player at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, his form has dipped markedly since the start of the 2025 British and Irish Lions series. If anything, it is a convenient situation for head coach Andy Farrell having seen the initial selection of the Connacht centre for the upcoming Six Nations be heavily criticised by Ireland supporters.
His demotion and the elevation of the highly talented Jude Postlethwaite to the senior squad is arguably one that should have already been made, and this incident has provided a handy opportunity to right that wrong.
Ultimately, you have to take this situation at face value and praise the IRFU for their strong stance, the question is whether they remain consistent. If not then accusations of double standards, and not just from Irish fans, will quite rightly come flying their way.
