Late Late Show viewers dub Bundee Aki 'a national treasure'

Bundee Aki has been dubbed a 'national treasure' by Late Late Show viewers, just days after receiving his Irish citizenship.

The sportsman, who is originally from New Zealand but came to Galway in 2010 to play rugby for Connacht, was one of 3,600 people granted Irish citizenship on Monday at the Convention Centre in Dublin.

Days later the Kiwi sat down with host Patrick Kielty to talk about his newly-granted citizenship, gushing that it's a 'massive honour' and commended how Irish people have 'embraced' him and his family.

'It took the whole day for me and my family to realise we were finally citizens of Ireland which was a massive honour and a privilege to be granted that,' Bundee explained.

'It means a lot and it's not just what I do on the pitch. The way they treated me and my family, obviously in Galway. Not just there, coming around Ireland, how lovely people are, how welcoming they are with me and my kids.'

'You can feel how proud they are and I feel the love that they have given me and for me to be granted Irish citizenship, there is no better feeling than getting that chance to embrace the Irish culture and everything,' the sportsman added.

Bundee received a rousing round of applause from the studio audience, with viewers on social media echoing the sentiment. Fans of the show took to X to praise the 'humbled lad' after his appearance.

'Bundee’s a national treasure..,' one user wrote, while another penned: 'Bundee Aki is a proper legend of man.'

'Bundee is a gentle giant. Love listening to him', a third person said. We'd have to agree!

The Late Late Show, which is being praised for it's star-studded lineup that also included Saoirse Ronan, Snow Patrol and Rylan, shared a sweet clip of Bundee talking about the milestone. The show's official account wrote: 'Proud to call you one of our own' accompanied by a shamrock emoji.

Congratulations, Bundee!