Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
DON’T LOOK MACK IN ANGER..
Hansen hasn’t got a single regret about his decision to leave Oz behind and throw his lot in with Ireland
MACK HANSEN is keen to drop off centre stage this week as he insists he has no regrets about leaving Australia for a Test career with Ireland.
Canberra born and bred, former Brumbies starlet Hansen was branded as one who got away by Wallabies forwards coach Dan Mckellar ahead of Saturday’s clash.
Hansen, 24, arrived at Connacht two summers ago as an Irelandeligible player because his mother, Diana, hails from Cork.
Such was the swiftness of his impact, he was capped by Ireland the following February, earning his debut in the Six Nations.
If he plays against Australia it will be his ninth Test appearance.
On Sunday night, he will join Ireland team-mate Dan Sheehan on the shortlist for the World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year award in Monaco.
Mckellar described Hansen as “a natural footballer” while Wallabies scrum-half Nic White has observed the adopted Irishman as a “different person and a different player” now.
White added: “He’s locked down a missus, very serious, and he’s playing some really good footy.”
Hansen later gave a shout out to his Irish girlfriend Róisín and her family.
“She’s from Dublin, Sandymount. Posh, very posh,” he laughed.
“No, they’re great, very down to earth people, they’re a fantastic family. I wouldn’t call them posh at all.”
On a more serious note, it is another massive week in Hansen’s career and he will have to keep his emotions in check.
He remains big friends with the Wallabies’ Brumbies contingent, particularly Lachy Lonergan, who he grew up with, and former room-mate
Nick Frost (inset).
“Ah look, we’ve had some big games in New Zealand and played the world champions the other day in South Africa,” he said.
“This one’s pretty special, going up against Australia but it’s not a massive step up.
“It’s something that doesn’t happen every day. I was an Australian not too long ago and now I’m here playing for Ireland, but really it’s another Test match that we’re trying to win and that’s my main focus.
“If I buy into the story too much and try to make myself bigger than the game, that’s when things are just going to go wrong.
“I’m part of an unbelievable Irish team that’s playing good footy.
“It’s going to be interesting going up against some of my old pals for the first time.”
There is no sense of what might have been had he stayed with the Brumbies.
The former apprentice electrician has spoken before of how opportunities weren’t as frequent as he would have liked.
“Since I made my decision there have been no thoughts of backtracking at all,” Hansen stated. “I’m very happy where I am.
“The Irish and the Aussies are very similar people. It was an easy transition for me.
“It wasn’t like coming into a new world at all. It was pretty spot on.
“You could think what might have been with anything, so no, the decision to play for Ireland has been the best decision of my career and my life.
“I’m loving it over here. It is still nice to hear from your peers and people back home but not once have I been upset or kind of thought what if I stayed there or made the move.”
But he is surprised by the speed at which everything has happened since his arrival.
The one thing he is still working on is singing the Irish national anthem – and he claims it won’t be weird hearing Advance Australia Fair before Amhrán na bhfiann.
“I sing from the start and then just kind of fade away at the end,” Hansen smiled.
“So if any cameraman is reading this, 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. But no, it will be just a cool experience.”
And the Wallabies?
The flying winger added: “It’s going to be a cracking game.
“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.
“I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be really cool.”