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'I didn't know if he was taking the p*** or not': Ireland's new Aussie-born wing's shock rise
Former Brumbies utility Mack Hansen says words from coach Andy Farrell inspired an unforgettable Test debut for Ireland after initially suspecting his selection may be a wind-up.
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Australia-born Hansen was thrust into Saturday’s Six Nations opener against defending champions Wales and responded with a man-of-the-match display on the wing in a crushing 29-7 win.
The 23-year-old teed up fellow Connacht man Bundee Aki for the early opening try in Dublin and did not look back as he remained a constant threat on the left flank.
Hansen, whose mother hails from Cork, originally learnt of his place in the team from Aki but was not entirely convinced his team-mate’s information was genuine.
“Bundee told me I was in the squad but I hadn’t heard anything or seen an email, so I didn’t know if he was taking the p*** or not,” said Hansen. “It was a bit hard to believe him.
“When the sheet came up and it had my name up, I was just stoked, absolutely stoked to be involved with this team and it was great.
“I’m trying to breathe it all in. I’m feeling pretty amazing, to be honest.”
Of advice received from Farrell, Hansen added: “He said: ‘if you can’t be yourself, there’s no point putting on the jersey’.
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“When Andy says something like that it sticks with you. Just go out there and enjoy yourself, that’s all you do at the end of the day.”
Hansen’s elevation came on the back of some scintillating displays at provincial level since moving to Galway from the Canberra-based Brumbies.
The United Rugby Championship’s leading try scorer, who filled the void left by the injured James Lowe, made an emotional phone call home at full-time.
“”I gave my parents a call. It was good to talk to mum and dad and my brother Jake to enjoy this experience with them.
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“They were just stoked for me, they were proud. They were a bit the same as me, speechless.”
The former Australia Under-20 player is well placed to retain his spot away to France next weekend after impressing coach Farrell.
“We’re not surprised – he’s got the temperament for handling debuts,” Farrell said of Hansen’s maiden display.
“He’s very cool, calm and collected in how he plays the game and it suits how we play as well.”
Captain Johnny Sexton said of Hansen: “He’s got a game which is made for international rugby, so hopefully he continues to grow with us. It’s a great start for him.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Fellas a balloon
3 Go to commentsBlues B team on display and made no race of it. By far the best team in SR with the Hurricanes barely getting past the winning post. Up the Blues 💙
5 Go to commentsWould be amazing to have Servette Genève reaching this level
3 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can't buy a win this season. Surely Penney's contract won't be renewed. There's still enough talent in the squad that they oughta be winning more.
1 Go to commentsABs captain for 23 seasons. Decent record. Surely nobody will surpass it. Legend. But alas a typo…
1 Go to commentsJust FYI Rugbypass, I for one am tired of your clickbait titles and thumbnails and will be clicking them no longer. Good day.
1 Go to commentsI think Farrell despite all of the stick he gets in the media is still one of if not the best fly half in the world. He is literally the full package. He can kick one of the best in the world, probably has the best defensive game of a fly half in the world and if he wants to he can run, take contact and find an offload to keep the pace of the attack. I dont know why he isnt spoken more about still being one of the best in the world with the likes of dupont. Farrell is the ultimate captain and team leader and is experienced- he has been in nearly any situation you can think of. I still believe due to these reasons that he is England’s best ever player and is still one of the best players in the world.
48 Go to commentsBlues are dominating up front and that’s been a long time coming. They have won the up front confrontation which is where canes, hilanders and act brumbies are also strong.
5 Go to commentsJust watched brumbies v safas game sadly not a show in he’ll thryr anywhere near quarters or semi contention. Admittedly some issues around new comers bot what stands out for me is coaching management, poor game planning and accuracy.
5 Go to commentsOne tough SOB!
16 Go to commentsI’ve put on 4/5 kilos since the beginning of the season too. Not good kilos. Bad kilos.
5 Go to commentsSurely there’s a ‘no knobheads’ policy ?
3 Go to commentsWallaroos have no chance of beating the Black Ferns unless Canada upsets them in Christchurch tomorrow but I doubt that as well!
1 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Could the victim do a course to reverse the long term CTE damage from the cheapshot?
2 Go to commentsTruely great player. In social media and opinion pieces he was held up and flogged for the results. People wanted someone to crucify, and he was the captain. He was still an immense presence respected by his peers. His battles with Siya Kolisi belong up with with Collins vs Burger in my opinion. Unlucky to be carded in the final, but I don’t agree that his red card was the defining moment. Not when you look at the dominant performances of the Springboks (PSDT in particular.) I think Cane should be remembered for the spirit and physicality that is special to test rugby.
16 Go to commentsSam was the man until he got injured .
16 Go to comments_Crusaders versus Leinster _at the moment might be a rout! But I would like to see the Blues play Toulouse, the Hurricanes front up against Stade Francais, and the Chiefs go against Toulon.
157 Go to commentsLove it when we overlap! Promise it was not forethought.
19 Go to commentsjfc can this guy plz stay out of the news for one week
3 Go to commentsIf stormers aren’t available. Based on form and likely availability at the time of the wales Test, you’d think Masuku would be a no-brainer to start. But starting Jordan also makes sense having Masuku come off the bench to close out the game.
2 Go to comments