Why Mack Hansen has 'bit between his teeth' for third Wallabies encounter

After being sunk by tries from Italy’s Australian-fashioned flyers last weekend, the Wallabies now face more jeopardy from an Ireland danger man made in Canberra.

Melburnian Monty Ioane and Louis Lynagh, son of World Cup-winning Aussie great Michael Lynagh, proved the try-scoring match winners for the Azzurri in their shock 26-19 victory in Udine last Saturday.

Now Ireland and British & Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell believes a rejuvenated Mack Hansen, who was stopped in his tracks by a foot injury when about to be unleashed in the Lions series, is set to be a key weapon in his latest bid to get one over his old mentor, Australia coach Joe Schmidt.

Farrell has brought in Hansen to deputise at fullback in Saturday’s Lansdowne Road Test, saying his maverick backline attacker has “the bit between his teeth” as he gets ready to enjoy another Test against his home nation.

That eluded him in the Lions series as the 27-year-old suffered the foot injury in the tourists’ final warm-up match before the Test series against an AUNZ Invitational XV in Adelaide.

The versatile Connacht player, who qualifies through his Irish mum, only returned to national duty last weekend after finally overcoming a recurrence of that foot problem, but Farrell has no hesitation handing Hansen the 15 jersey at Test level for the first time, replacing injured fullback Jamie Osborne.

“Mack was in great form, certainly within the Lions series. I mean, wow, I hadn’t seen him in better form actually, and then obviously the foot injury stopped that progress,” recalled Farrell, naming his side on Thursday.

“But I think he’s got the bit between his teeth as far as what he learnt on that tour. He played his last game at 15 as well (for Connacht).

“Coming back into the group, he got across his work Sunday and Monday, and then trained the house down on Tuesday.

“He’s proved, not just to us, the coaching staff, but to everyone else, that he’s up for this, and ready and able.”

Schmidt wasn’t too surprised at Hansen’s inclusion at 15. “Mack’s got a really good skill set, I know there’s high trust in his ability,” said the Wallabies coach.

Hansen, who’s twice played Australia in Irish green – in 2022 and last year – and won both times, is one of nine personnel changes Farrell has made to the starting line-up, following the 41-10 win over Japan in Dublin last weekend.

Tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong and hooker Dan Sheehan are back in a front row featuring debutant Paddy McCarthy, while No.8 Jack Conan, scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park and winger James Lowe bring back plenty more experience.

Sam Prendergast makes his first start of the November series at No.10, chosen ahead of Jack Crowley.

Ireland team:

1 Paddy McCarthy, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 James Ryan, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 6 Ryan Baird, 7 Caelan Doris (capt), 8 Jack Conan; 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 10 Sam Prendergast, 11 James Lowe, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 14 Tommy O’Brien, 15 Mack Hansen.

Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Thomas Clarkson, Nick Timoney, Cian Prendergast, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Bundee Aki.