Dublin: Former Brumbies winger turned Ireland star Mack Hansen has branded Wallabies players terrible sledgers ahead of a maiden Test against his country of birth he says will be a “war on the field”.
Hansen says he has no regrets turning his back on Australian rugby to pursue an international career with Ireland.
After managing just 14 matches across four seasons with the Brumbies, Hansen took up a contract in Ireland with Connacht, which helped accelerate his development to become one of the most exciting wingers in world rugby.
A day after his old coach at the Brumbies, Dan McKellar, conceded Hansen was the one that got away, the Canberran was in a jovial mood ahead of this weekend’s clash with the Wallabies in Dublin.
“I’m just going to take it like any other game,” Hansen said. “If I buy into the story too much … and try and make myself bigger than the game, that’s when things are just going to go wrong.
“Since I made my decision there have been no thoughts of backtracking at all. I’m very happy where I am.”
Mack Hansen training with Ireland. Credit:Getty
There are no shortage of Brumbies players ready to get under Hansen’s skin, but their banter might not have the desired effect.
“They can’t sledge for s—,” Hansen said. [Nic] Whitey will be chirpy like always but the rest of them aren’t very witty or smart.
“All the Brumbies lads, I’m fantastic mates with. I grew up with Lachy Lonergan and Nick Frost was my roommate back home. That’s obviously going to be a pretty funny one but then there’s other guys like Tom Wright, all the forwards, all the ‘Usos’ in the team.”
“It’s about going to war on the field and then afterwards just being able to have a laugh about it and be able to enjoy a quiet beer or two.”
Mack Hansen scores one of his three tries against the Waratahs in 2021.Credit:Getty
After a gut-wrenching loss to Italy, Hansen is tipping the Wallabies to fire back in a big way.
“Last week just wasn’t their week,” Hansen said. “They have such world-class players. Having lost is definitely going to have blown smoke up their arse.
“They will be coming out with all guns blazing. We know that and we’re ready for that. It’s going to be a cracking game.”
White described Hansen as “certainly a personality”.
“We missed him when he left Canberra,” White said. “Playing for the Brumbies was his dream. He took an opportunity to get out there and see the world. Sometimes that’s all you need — a little push — and to get away from home. He certainly looks like a different person, different player over here.
“He’s locked down a missus. He’s very serious. It’s awesome to see a guy like Mack come over here and do so well. We’ll have a good chance to hopefully get into him and catch up with him. They’re good stories that make me feel good.”
As for the Irish national anthem, Hansen, whose mother hails from Cork, has a message for the cameramen at the Aviva Stadium.
“I’m still trying to learn the Irish one. I sing from the start and then just kind of fade away at the end,” Hansen said.
“So if any cameraman is reading this article, film me at the very start when I’m absolutely singing the thing. He stopped on me for what felt like about 10 minutes last time and I didn’t know it towards the end. It will be just a cool experience.”
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