Return of the Mack: Ireland despatch Australia setting up Springbok showdown

By Chris Collyer

Saturday night’s clash between Ireland and Australia at the Aviva Stadium was one many were eager to see, with questions over whether Andy Farrell’s men could rediscover their prowess and silence the doubters.

After a record 46–19 victory over the Wallabies, it’s safe to say Ireland responded well to their head coach’s instructions before the game.

Earlier this week, the former British & Irish Lions coach challenged his team to “get over themselves and start playing some proper rugby”, and Ireland duly obliged.

They opened their account with a well-worked try finished by the returning Mack Hansen, before the former Brumbies winger went on to complete his first hat-trick in just under half an hour.

For exclusive stories and all the detailed rugby news you need, subscribe to The Rugby Paper website, digital edition, or newspaper from as little as 14p a day.

Freakish speed

The return of the Mack was highly anticipated for us in the Irish camp as the Connacht winger boasts an array of skills, from freakish speed, aerial intercepts, multi-skilled ability, and the utility back also boasts a charm and charisma that endear him to many supporters, both Irish and otherwise.

Even before the game kicked off, it was picked up that he was wearing two different coloured boots to which he later revealed post-match was due to a sponsorship deal, and it’s very possible that future young up-and-coming rugby players may well follow in this trend due to the performance Hansen displayed on Saturday.

“You’d better play well in those different coloured boots!”, commented Farrell regarding the debutant full-back’s choice of footwear.

Showering Hansen with praise, the head coach continued: “I actually thought that was how it should have been, but apparently Mack just did that himself anyway.

“So he’s drawn attention to himself before he’s even started.

“I said to him before the game, ‘Good players don’t need excuses; they can get on with it and just be themselves. You can get man of the match if you want,’ and he went, ‘Yeah, I agree.’

“So he’s that type of player, he prepares well, he’s got a great attitude to get across his detail, and so that’s why he slotted straight back in and he was able to be himself because of that.”

Excellent

With excellent performances across the men in green, Sam Prendergast made a good account of himself with a series of regular cross field kicks resulting in territory, one impressive break and his first successful drop goal which was possibly inspired by George Ford‘s double earlier on in the day as England dispatched the All Blacks in a crushing 33-19 victory at the Allianz stadium at Twickenham.  

With the absence of full-back regulars Hugo Keenan and Jamie Osbourne, Farrell, not for the first time, put a huge amount of trust and belief in his reliable 28th-capped winger, and Hansen returned that trust with possibly the international performance of his life.

Since the start of the Quilter Nations Series, Ireland suffered a defeat to the All Blacks in Chicago, followed by a landmark win against Japan a week later, so Saturday’s game was the one circled in the calendar to see just where Farrell’s men are at.

Malfunctioning lineouts being the most discussed issue with form and uncharacteristic handling errors creeping into their game.

Prowess

With nine changes, it was the Test to see if Ireland could regain its prowess, and after putting 27 points on Australia, it’s safe to say the men in green have listened and learned just in time for next week’s blockbuster clash against the World Champion Springboks.

Whilst Saturday’s impressive performance was something to be proud of, Ireland themselves would be the first to say in order to defeat the Springboks in a week’s time they will have to once again reach another level and take advantage of the launchpad they now find themselves on.

No doubt Rassie Erasmus will be hungry for his first-ever international win on Irish soil, and it’s up to Farrell and Ireland to show that last week’s performance was not just a flash in the pan but a taste of things to come.

READ MORE: Ireland 46-19 Australia: Mack Hansen & co on fire as Irish put Aussies to sword