BUNDEE AKI’S OUTSTANDING second season with Connacht was further recognised this evening after the Kiwi centre was voted Player of the Season by his peers in the Guinness Pro12.

Aki, who was named Connacht’s Player of the Season last night, has been to the forefront of his side’s incredible campaign, which saw them finish second in the Pro12 to set up a semi-final meeting with Glasgow Warriors on Saturday, 21 May.

A 26-year-old former Super Rugby winner with the Chiefs, Aki joined Connacht in 2014 and has chipped in with six tries in 26 appearances this season.

Aki was one of seven Connacht players named in the Guinness Pro12 2015/16 Dream Team — which is captained by Leinster’s Isa Nacewa and features 12 Irish-based players in total — at an awards ceremony at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin this evening, while Connacht boss Pat Lam was also named Coach of the Season.

Players’ Player of the Season: Bundee Aki (Connacht)

Young Player of the Season: Sam Davies (Ospreys)

Coach of the Season: Pat Lam (Connacht)

Golden Boot: Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues)

Try of the Season: Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors)

Fair Play Award: Ulster

Chairman’s Award: John Muldoon (Connacht)

Dream Team: Isa Nacewa (Leinster, captain); Matt Healy (Connacht), Bundee Aki (Connacht), Ben Te’o (Leinster), Craig Gilroy (Ulster); Sam Davies (Ospreys), Kieran Marmion (Connacht); Denis Buckley (Connacht), Tom McCartney (Connacht), Finlay Bealham (Connacht); Leone Nakarawa (Glasgow Warriors), Ultan Dillane (Connacht); CJ Stander (Munster), Josh van der Flier (Leinster), Cornell du Preez (Edinburgh).

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