British and Irish Lions player Bundee Aki has revealed an extraordinary event during his time in Australia. While he was on tour with the Lions, his wife unexpectedly gave birth to their fifth child in the car on the way to the hospital. This surprising delivery occurred just before the First Test match in Australia.
Aki shared that his previous children were born in different settings, with the latest addition, Aine, arriving in the back seat of a car in New Zealand while he was away representing the Lions. Despite the unique circumstances, Aki expressed pride in his family and the resilience of his wife during the unexpected birth.
Having been away from his family for eight weeks due to rugby commitments, Aki had not yet met his newborn child, a fact he kept private during the final weeks of the tour. Reflecting on the experience, he recounted receiving the news while at the team hotel, where his wife informed him of going into labor and eventually giving birth in the car on the way to the hospital.
Although Aki did not start in the First Test, he joined the match later on and contributed to the Lions’ victory. He mentioned that the news of his child’s birth brought him positive energy and a sense of good luck, as he witnessed the team’s success on the field. Aki also shared the significance of the name “Aine” in his family, with all his children having names starting with the letter ‘A’.
In subsequent matches, Aki continued to play a key role for the Lions, partnering with Huw Jones in the centers. Despite a loss to the Wallabies in Sydney, Aki remained proud of his family and grateful for the support he received during this eventful period.