Joe Schmidt: 'Mack Hansen was probably the best Australian on the pitch'

The Canberra native struck for a first-half hat-trick against the Wallabies on Saturday night.

Australia's Head Coach Joe Schmidt and Ireland's Caelan Doris after the game. Pic: INPHO/Gary Carr

Australian rugby has long had reason to rue the loss to Ireland of Canberra-born and bred Mack Hansen, all the more so after the Connacht man claimed a 27-minute, first-half hat-trick against his native country in Dublin on Saturday night.

Wallaby coach Joe Schmkidt put it perfectly after.