The Return of the Mack.
Mack Hansen produced a brilliant performance on his return to the Ireland starting team, scoring a first-half hat-trick in a 46-19 win. The Connacht star looked sharp from the opening minutes and delivered one of his best displays in green.
Hansen struck three times inside 27 minutes, and each try lifted the crowd at the Aviva Stadium. His pace, timing and instinct were clear throughout the first half. Ireland played with more control and accuracy than in recent games, and their improvement showed on the scoreboard. They finished strongly, adding late points to secure a convincing victory.
Before the match, head coach Andy Farrell told RTÉ that Hansen had been “chomping at the bit to get going”. That hunger was obvious once the contest began. Hansen looked eager for involvement, and Ireland used him well in attack.
After the game, Hansen spoke honestly about his mindset and what it means to represent Ireland. He said the atmosphere in Dublin still feels special every time he plays there. “It feels unbelievable. Any opportunity to get to play in front of the Aviva, in front of these fans, is an absolute privilege,” he said.
When asked about his hat-trick, he praised the team around him. “That’s the pleasure of playing in this team. I literally just had to grab the ball and run over the line,” he explained. His tries came from strong team moves, but his finishing remained top class.
Hansen also reflected on injuries and the motivation they give him. He admitted the last few months have been difficult. “I’ve had a pretty bang average run with injuries and everything and I miss being in this team,” he said. He added that despite talk about his Australian background, he feels fully connected to Ireland. “This feels like home to me, so anytime I get to play for Ireland, it’s a privilege.”
