Nov 12,2024
Mack Hansen says he didn't know if he’d get another shot with Ireland after a lengthy injury lay-off.
The Connacht wing has been a regular under head coach Andy Farrell since making his debut in February 2022.
He helped the team to the 2023 Grand Slam, played in all five World Cup games and scored the crucial try in the 13-8 win over South Africa in the pool stages.
However, a shoulder injury kept him out of action from January to September and he missed out on another Six Nations title and a series draw with South Africa.
In his absence, Calvin Nash took his chance with the Munster wing starting in all seven games, while Leinster's Jamie Osborne looked secure in his two starts at full-back against the world champions.
But Hansen had enough credit in the bank and was handed the 14 jersey for last Friday’s Autumn Nations clash with New Zealand, which ended in a 23-13 loss.
"You get to a period of being injured, especially as long as I was, that you never know if you’re going to get the opportunity again," the 26-year-old (below) said as the team prepare to welcome Argentina on Friday.
"Things like that kind of go through your head especially with the way the guys were playing.
"Still winning Six Nations and [drawing] tours like when I was away and stuff so.
"A lot of guys really stepped up and played great, like Nashy and Jamie and those sort of guys coming through.
"So, yeah, things like that do go through your head and to get it again was another dream come true almost.
"It’s not like I was out of the team and things were going badly.
"It’s a hard one to kind of navigate through. Saying that, very happy obviously for how the team and how the guys were going but on the other hand you are thinking from time-to-time, 'ah gees, will I get my shot again?’
"To be able to get it has been a privilege."
Hansen's family had flown over from Australia for the game – "it was brilliant to see them" - but the result and performance were below expectations.
"Gutted with the loss," said Hansen (above), who is in line for a 23rd cap if selected to face the Pumas.
"We didn’t click as well as we normally do, by any means.
"It was a pretty poor performance from us. It just wasn’t who we are or who we’ve come to be over the last three or four years.
"I found it was a pretty hard game for me to get into as a winger.
"I felt sort of every time I tried to get involved and get a hand on the ball, it just seemed to fall apart a little bit.
"But you get games like that, unfortunately.
"I tried to flip my mindset a bit, just try and get my hands on the ball as much as I could.
"I feel like I did that in the last 10-15 maybe a little bit more involved but now working on just doing that for the whole 80."
Ireland’s back three got to experience the new kicking rule that means chasers can’t be blocked off from contesting for the ball by opposition players crowding the space in front of the receiver.
"I think it's going to be refreshing and keep the game flowing," said the Canberra native.
"Those in-air contests are going to be really exciting to watch.
"I don't know really because it's only just happened, but it definitely makes my job a little bit harder, which is a bit of a pain, but saying that, I think it's a good thing, a good way to move forward and make the game more exciting."
Hansen could come up against Connacht team-mate Santi Cordero, who came on as a replacement in the 50-18 win over Italy on Saturday and scored the Pumas’ fifth try.
"He’s a hell of a player," said Hansen of the 30-year-old.
"He can pull a rabbit out of a hat out of nothing. But on the other side of that, he is a really smart player.
"Some things just happen, that’s instinctive playing for so long and playing at a high level for so long as well."
