Nov 30,2024
Joe Schmidt isn't the only overlap between this Wallabies team and Ireland.
Of the Australian Super Rugby franchises, the Brumbies are currently the biggest populator of the Wallabies squad – eight of them feature in Saturday's matchday 23, and several of those know one of Ireland’s players intimately
Mack Hansen spent three years coming through the grades at the Canberra side before making the move to Connacht in 2021. A Canberra native, the mazy winger was Irish-qualified through his Cork-born mother, and just over half a season after moving to Galway he was an Irish international, and will win his 25th cap this weekend against the country of his birth.
Two Brumbies – full-back Tom Wright and loosehead prop James Slipper – were on media duty for the Wallabies this week, and it would be an understatement to say their eyes lit up at the first mention of their former team-mate.
"He’s obviously quickly become one of the cult heroes over here for a good reason," said Wright, who will line out in the back-field this weekend, for his 37th Australia cap.
"I spent a little bit more time with Mack [than Slipper did], doing backs units in Canberra together.
"[He] plays a brand of football that's entertaining to watch, was always that skilful, talented player when he was in Canberra."
Hansen had been a relative unknown when he had been signed by Connacht in 2021, whose head coach at the time Andy Friend is also a native of the Australian capital.
And Wright says it came as no surprise to see how quickly his former backline partner made his mark in Ireland.
"He was probably just behind a fair few talented guys in that position, he was sort of a 10/15 coming through the Brumbies ranks, and he was one of the favourite guys in the locker room.
"It's awesome to see how quickly he adapted to the Irish lifestyle and Irish style of play.
"I was fortunate to play the last time we were here in the Aviva and we were the opposing numbers so we did an awesome jersey exchange which is one of the ones I hold really close to my heart, just as an ex-teammate."
While Wright was quick to highlight how Hansen has grown on the pitch, Slipper shone a light on how the 26-year-old has developed away from the game.
"I just think it's good to see him grow up," laughed Slipper, 35, who will win his 143rd Test cap on Saturday.
"He was like a genuine Canberra boy so to come to Ireland and do as well as he has done it is just phenomenal to watch, as a mate.
"Even back at Brums he used to get his parents to pick him up at training every day and make his lunch and stuff like that. Hopefully he has got that sorted now."
Saturday’s Test will be a 13th for the Wallabies in 2024, with six wins and six defeats so far under Schmidt.
The former Ireland head coach (above) is only under contract until the end of the British and Irish Lions series next summer, and is set to decide on his future after this Autumn Nations Series.
And veteran loosehead Slipper says he has made already big impact on Australian rugby, even if the results haven't quite backed it up.
"I think the proof is in the pudding at the moment, from where he came from last year in particular. That was a pretty tough year for us.
"The growth in the team and in the squad in general has been astronomical.
"We have missed a few games and close results but overall our trajectory has been on the upward trend.
"Joe is definitely our man and I can confidently say most of the rugby public home are very confident that he is the man to take us forward," he added.
