MACK HANSEN SITS down for his first post-match press conference as a fully-fledged Test international, his new Ireland cap sitting proudly on his head.
It was certainly a debut to remember for 23-year-old. A lively presence throughout, Hansen looked full of confidence and provided some moments of real quality in the 29-7 win over Wales.
His smart skip pass played in Connacht teammate Bundee Aki for the opening try and his pace and footwork continuously caused the Welsh defence problems, an encouraging 80 performance capped with the man of the match award.
“I’m just still in shock about everything and I’m just trying to take it all in,” Hansen says. “I’m feeling pretty amazing to be honest.
“I’ve got some family, I think they stayed in Cork watching in on TV or in a bar somewhere, then I had all my friends and family (in Australia) stayed up and watch the game.
“They couldn’t make the trip over unfortunately but they definitely did everything they could to make it a special week for me as well.
I gave my parents a call, my parents and my brother. Some of my mates, there’s a club back home that show all the matches, and I think they’re out there. I’m staying away from their calls for the time being! It was good to talk to Mum and Dad and my brother Jake to enjoy this experience with them.
“They were just stoked for me, they were proud. They were a bit the same as me, speechless.”
The Connacht wing represents an exciting addition to Andy Farrell’s squad, and the Ireland head coach will be hugely pleased with how seamlessly Hansen slotted into the Ireland backline.
And Hansen explained how ahead of his first Test cap, he took confidence from the way Farrell and the squad approached the game.
He (Farrell) said something to me that really stuck with me, he said, ‘if you can’t be yourself, there’s no point putting on the jersey’. When Andy says something like that it sticks with you. Just go out there and enjoy yourself, that’s all you do at the end of the day.”
Hansen also singled out his Connacht teammates, Bundee Aki and Jack Carty for the role they played over the week, explaining how Aki knew he would be in the squad before Farrell has passed on the news himself.
“One morning, Bundee told me that I was in the squad, but I hadn’t heard anything or seen an email or anything, so I didn’t know if he was serious, it was a bit hard to believe throughout the day.
“Then when the sheet came up and it had my name on it, I was just stoked. I was absolutely stoked to be involved with this team. It was great.
“Bundee has been amazing. He got a lot of videos and stuff sent over from home, so he’s done everything he could to make this week special for me as well.
“As have all the lads, all my Connacht teammates are stoked for me and have all put in a big effort as well. Getting my jersey presented by Bundee and Jack (Carty) was very special for me.”
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
One of the greatest managers the game has ever seen.
@Aidan Farrell: The greatest team the game has ever seen…..Imo.
@Ray Ridge: it’s impossible to compare teams of different eras
@Aidan Farrell: it’s a stated fact that he does not know the names of half of the backroom team that’s employed by JP.
@Mikey Walsh: my goodness Mikey, give it a rest boi, how bitter are you about this, chirping away all day, chipping away, you must be sickened.
@Michael Kennedy: your raving BOY
53 backroom staff??ffs I bet pep doesn’t even have half of that with city.madness..limerick are great to watch a different animal and when they get to croke Park cannot see them been stopped..
@Paully kells: always enjoy your input Paul, why madness? Most of them are voluntary.
Paul Kinnerk is the brains
@liam hehir: ya but Paul Kinnerk has openly stated that he could not do the job that John Kiely does so it appears they are a formidable management team who compliment each other’s strengths and weaknesses perfectly
Were Clare too conservative? It appeared that when they continuously drove the ball long that it was a 3 V 1 in the full forward line or a 4 v 2 always in Limericks favour. You have to carry the ball through the lines of that’s the case. Maybe Clare don’t have the pace to do that and if that’s the case I can see them struggling with a Cork or Kilkenny in future
@anthony davoren: definitely the difference today was Limerick nearly always chose the right pass or shot, where as Clare nearly always chose the wrong option..in fairness when Clare did choose the correct option they looked really good.. Limerick are the standard bearer’s.
@Matthew Delaney: well said..clare have theirselves to blame with a few clumsy mistakes they are a very good team no doubt but make them mistakes against a machine like limerick expect to be punished..very unlucky to hit the post near the end would been two points in it then and god knows then what could happening?the banner will be still there or there abouts..
@Paully kells: I’d also say that a factor today was the two goalkeepers..puck outs cost Clare, not all quilligans fault.
@Matthew Delaney: definitely Matthew…quaid nearly always finds he’s man..quilligans puck outs were very good unfortunately for the banner limerick were out in front to get get to frw them first..clare will be back lohan will have them fired up for the next day no doubt about it..