Overview

• Aine arrived unexpectedly in a car en route to a hospital on July 19; both mother and daughter emerged healthy.
• Hours later, Aki came off the bench for 23 minutes in the Lions’ opening Test at Suncorp Stadium.
• The Lions secured a 29-26 series victory in Melbourne, becoming the first team to win back-to-back series in Australia.
• With the tour complete, Aki is flying to New Zealand to meet his daughter for the first time after eight weeks away.
• The 35-year-old centre will use his off-season to weigh his options ahead of his 2026 IRFU contract expiration.