Mack Hansen Eager To Bounce Back As Ireland Prepares For Argentina Clash
Mack Hansen Eager To Bounce Back As Ireland Prepares For Argentina Clash
Mack Hansen reflects on his Ireland return against New Zealand, battling nerves and challenges after injury. He looks forward to redemption vs. Argentina.
Wearing the green jersey again may not have yielded the fairytale result Mack Hansen hoped for, but his return to international rugby following a devastating shoulder injury was a triumph in itself.
The Connacht winger, who had been a fan favorite thanks to his try-scoring prowess and infectious energy, faced a tough night, as Ireland struggled against the All Blacks, falling short of their usual high standards.
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Hansen, a fixture in the Irish lineup with nine tries from 22 caps before his injury, had been sidelined since dislocating his shoulder during a United Rugby Championship clash with Munster on New Year’s Day.
Forced to watch from afar as Ireland successfully defended its Six Nations title and split a test series in South Africa, the 26-year-old endured months of rehabilitation, never certain he’d have the chance to stand for the national anthem again.
“Being out injured for so long, you never know if you’ll get the opportunity again,” Hansen reflected after the game. “It felt like a first cap again.”
With his parents in the stands, having traveled from Australia, he knew how much the night meant, but nerves loomed, especially in the face of an All Blacks team whose smart play posed a sharp challenge for the Irish side.
Returning against the formidable New Zealand side was both thrilling and challenging for Hansen.
Despite his desire to make an impact, Ireland struggled across multiple areas, including the set-piece, tackling and ball handling. Hansen saw limited action with the ball and, by the final quarter, was frustrated by Ireland’s inability to find its rhythm - something he hadn’t experienced since his second cap three years ago.
Ireland’s disjointed performance was reminiscent of its 2021 Six Nations clash with France at the Stade de France, where the team similarly struggled to keep up with the high-pressure environment. But Hansen remains optimistic, believing Ireland’s lineout and handling woes were uncharacteristic slipups, not causes for long-term concern.
Reflecting on the All Blacks’ approach, Hansen acknowledged that New Zealand’s strategy was smarter and more focused, blending their trademark open play with strategic kicking that outmaneuvered the Irish.
“They were a bit more strategic than normal,” he said. “They won the aerial battle and kicked better - they were pretty switched on.”
Head coach Andy Farrell, while disappointed with the defeat, avoided overreaction, reaffirming his confidence in a squad that has endured both victories and setbacks in recent months.
Hansen echoed Farrell’s measured response, noting that the atmosphere within the team was one of calm honesty rather than crisis.
Halftime in the dressing room was “calm rather than chaotic,” and the team’s weekly review was more about pinpointing specific fixes than any deep overhaul.
“There weren’t really hard chats, just honest chats,” Hansen said. “We came to the conclusion that it wasn’t good enough and also that it just wasn’t us. This week, we’re looking to right a lot of wrongs, and there’s no better place to do it than back at the Aviva in front of a home crowd.”
Ahead of Ireland’s upcoming game against Argentina, Hansen is resolute, determined to avoid kneejerk responses to the defeat and confident in his team’s resilience. He dismissed suggestions that Ireland’s rivalry with the All Blacks is in jeopardy, pointing to recent back-to-back wins over New Zealand as evidence of Ireland’s strength and competitiveness.
“People are always very eager to jump on you when you’re down,” Hansen commented, brushing off criticism. “The outside noise is outside noise. The people who know us know it was just one of those weeks. But we’re ready to bounce back.”
With Hansen and Ireland set to face Argentina on Friday, there’s a sense of anticipation for a fresh start on home turf—a chance to show that one tough game won’t disrupt their ambition or their resolve.
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