Mack Hansen: ‘I would have been mad not to sign IRFU deal’

WOULD BE MAD: Connacht and Ireland back Mack Hansen signed on the dotted line on a deal that will take him through to the next World Cup in his native Australia. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

Mack Hansen says he “would be mad” not to have accepted the IRFU’s offer of a two-year contract.

The Connacht and Ireland back signed on the dotted line on a deal that will take him through to the next World Cup in his native Australia.

And it’s not that this was the only option before him. The 26-year old, in Ireland since his arrival in Galway from the Brumbies in 2021, had contact from abroad too.

“A little bit of chat here and there.

"It was always my preference to stay here and try and kick on to the next World Cup. I think anyone would be mad to not take that opportunity with this time and I reckon hopefully do a special thing in the next World Cup. Obviously plenty [to do] before that but it’s always my intention to stay here and keep kicking on with this team.” 

Next up is this Saturday’s Six Nations showdown with France at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium with the prize for the winner a short odds shot at the Championship title come round five.

And, should Ireland come through, a go at another Grand Slam with it.

It promised to be a game for the ages with Simon Easterby’s reigning champions facing a visiting team that has looked imperious at times while also letting slip a win in Twickenham. Hansen described them not so long ago as ‘freak shows’.

“I was talking about it before, 1-23, world-class players, love to chuck the ball around,” said Hansen. "They don’t really play like their positions at all. It’s a big challenge, we’re very excited about it.

“These are the sort of games you live for, being able to send some guys off in their last home game and put a stamp on the Six Nations. It’s really exciting and I think we’re ready for the challenge.” 

The guys being ‘sent off’ are Conor Murray, Peter O’Mahony and Cian Healy, all of whom retire from the Test game once this Six Nations is out to bed later this month.

The occasion of their last home game will be special and it will be marked in some way internally before Saturday.

“Look, we’ve known about it for a little bit so it’s not just about this week, we’ve been trying to make this whole campaign special for them. They’re just such big parts of the team and talking about it before, they obviously bring so much experience on the field but off the field as well, they bring so much craic, laughter and just good times.

“So it’s more about making it as special for them as possible in the whole, which is this whole campaign. So obviously yeah, we’re going to try and get a win for them. Everyone likes winning so that’s the main thing, so yeah.”