Irish halfback Conor Murray has slammed the critics questioning Bundee Aki's place in Ireland's squad ahead of the Kiwi centre's potential debut against South Africa on Saturday (Sunday NZ time).

Aki qualifies for Ireland having completed the required three years of residency for his adopted country after joining club side Connacht from the Chiefs in 2014.

That requirement will be raised to five years from the end of 2020, but Murray has defended the inclusion of Aki in Kiwi coach Joe Schmidt's Ireland squad ahead of their opening November test against the Springboks.

GETTY IMAGES Lions halfback Conor Murray scores his team's second try in the second test against the All Blacks.

"Yeah, I think it's tough on a player like that," Murray told ESPN. "He came over here and has played rugby and qualified for Ireland in the right way.

READ MORE:

* Sickness strikes Squire

* No regrets for Luatua

​* All Black, Oz scrums won't mix

* Tongan Thor's greatest game

* Wales coach rates Oz over NZ

"I know people have different opinions on that, but if you're just looking at calling a player and singling a player out like that, and giving someone abuse or a hard time about it, I think it's really unfair."

Fellow Kiwi centre Jared Payne, who represented the British and Irish Lions during their tour of New Zealand earlier this year, is not in Ireland's squad for tests against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina because of injury.

Murray said Aki would quieten critics if he performs well in the green jersey having impressed for Connacht under Kiwi coaches Pat Lam and Kieran Keane over the last three years.

"Bundee hasn't done anything wrong. He has come into the squad. He's a bubbly guy, he has lots of character and he's working really hard - and he's an awesome player.

"For us, we're lucky to have him in our squad. It's definitely unfair for someone to receive that heat off the media when he hasn't done anything wrong."

Aki, 27, was born in Auckland, represented Counties Manukau at provincial level between 2011 and 2014, and spent two years in Super Rugby with the Chiefs before joining Connacht.

Ireland host South Africa, Fiji and Argentina in Dublin in three tests in November.