RTE viewers 'love listening' to Bundee Aki as Ireland's 'gentle giant ...

RTE VIEWERS hailed Bundee Aki as a "national treasure" after he opened up on becoming an Irish citizen on the Late Late Show.

The Ireland and Connacht centre achieved the landmark last week, when he was one of 3,600 people to be made citizens.

Aki reflected on the occasion during a chat with Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty, with fans praising him on social media.

One said: "Bundee’s a national treasure…" while 'Cozzie' commented: "Bundee Aki is a proper legend of man."

Liam posted: "Bundee Aki is a humble lad. Ps, I reckon when the ABs are back in town, he, [James] Lowe and [Jamison] Gibson-Park should do a haka!"

Susan commented: "Bundee is a gentle giant. Love listening to him."

Margaret, meanwhile, revealed: "I'm up home for the weekend and was on my way to bed when my mother just called me to tell me "my man" is on the Late Late.

"I'd no idea who she meant. It could have been anyone.

"It was Bundee Aki."

The Ireland international, originally from New Zealand, moved to Ireland in 2014 to play for Connacht and qualifies to play for Ireland due to his residence.

3,600 people were granted Irish citizenship at the Convention Centre in Dublin on Monday at a reception attended by Justice Minister Helen McEntee.

Reflecting on that day, Aki said: "It was special.

"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.

"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."