Ireland have eased past reigning champions Wales 29-7 in the opening game of the Six Nations championship in Dublin with their new Australian recruit Mack Hansen enjoying a flying start to his Test career.
The Irish picked up where they left off in November with a comfortable victory on Saturday and Hansen, who qualified for them through having an Irish mother, helped set them on their way by making the first try.
Ireland looked every inch one of the tournament favourites when they roared out of the blocks in the same manner that toppled New Zealand three months ago but still needed a second half burst to put the injury-hit visitors out of sight.
“It’s never going to be perfect in your first game but we’ve got everything to play for and we know there’s a massive test ahead next week,” captain Johnny Sexton said in a pitch-side interview, referring to next week’s trip to France.
It took Sexton’s men just two minutes to take control, and former Australian under-20 international Hansen, who only came to Ireland in September after signing for Connacht, was at the heart of their opening try.
After accelerating clear to start the initial move, the United Rugby Championship’s leading try scorer teed up Connacht teammate Bundee Aki to dive over unchallenged in the left corner.
It felt like only a matter of time before the hosts would score again from hand but a couple of sloppy errors – including Sexton uncharacteristically missing two out of three shots at goal – invited Wayne Pivac’s side back into the game
A predictable attack from a side shorn of 680 caps through injuries to the likes of Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric, George North and Taulupe Faletau was comfortably contained by Ireland’s choke tackle defence.
While a better side could punish Ireland later in the tournament for not being clinical enough to extend their lead beyond 10-0 at halftime, Andy Farrell’s side returned in a much more ruthless mood after the interval.
Andrew Conway put Ireland out of sight with two tries either side of a yellow card for makeshift Wales centre Josh Adams, first using every millimetre of his 1.8-metre frame to reach for the corner and simply collecting a pass to add another.
Centre Garry Ringrose snaked through the porous Welsh defence on the hour to make sure of the winning bonus point.
Ireland emptied their bench and with that lost a little bit of concentration, allowing Wales flanker Taine Basham in for a late try that ensured the visitors did not add a scoreless outing to an otherwise miserable afternoon.
The win extended Ireland’s winning run to nine games but they will face an altogether more difficult test against France in Paris if they are to make it ten in a row.
Utah
Guest
Maybe they need to nominate their representive allegiance early on, rather than wait for the best/earliest offer. I dunno, just a thought.
Utah
Guest
Yeah I understand his mother is Irish. Like half of the population he has a parent born overseas. He was born and bred in Canberra. He’s as Australian as they come. Played all his rugby in Australia up until a few months ago. I know it’s within the rules but it doesn’t feel right that a player can be representing another country within months of leaving to said country, having played all his rugby in the country he was born in. Good on him for taking the opportunity, his career is finite, but the eligibility rules need to be looked at IMO.
Derm
Roar Guru
Hansen is a Category C contract player - €80-100k at Connacht. He would receive match and bonus fees same as other test players if selected. His mother and her parents are Irish-born - which entitles him to Irish passport/citizenship since he was born.
Derm
Roar Guru
Porter, Kelleher, Furlong, Ryan, Beirne, Doris, Van der Flier, Conan. Sheehan, Healy, Baird, O'Mahony, Murray, Carbery, Hume. Sexton, Ringrose, Conway, Keenan. RQ: Aki, Gibson-Park P/GP Q: Hansen, Bealham
Andy J
Roar Rookie
How many Irish players in that team?
Lr6050
Guest
I reckon Nick Champion De Crespigny was unlucky to never have a proper run at the Tahs. He’s gone over to Castres Olympique and is starting. Good on him - I reckon he’ll be a future wallaby.
Utah
Guest
Brumbies backs were poached because they weren’t getting enough game time. In Hansen’s case on a far more lucrative deal. Not much Brumbies could of done other than chosen Hansen over Wright and Muirhead, which at the time was probably the wrong call. Maybe World Rugby needs to look at the rules that allow someone to represent a country within weeks of arriving from another rugby nation where they’ve played their entire life.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Great point about Stan, they have taken coverage to a new level compared to Foxtel, the biased dinosaurs of the game.
The World in Union
Roar Rookie
If you think Wales were poor, you should watch the U20 game. Sadly it seems that Welsh player stocks are in freefall. Big thumbs up to Stan for having not just full matches available on demand within a few hours but also having mini-matches, highlights and recaps. If it was Foxtel, we'd be lucky to get the full match within 2 days with no mini-matches, highlights and recaps; and no U20 matches at all.
The World in Union
Roar Rookie
Hansen was excellent and deserved player of the match. At the same time, it was very easy for him to roam freely because Wales didn't apply much pressure so he didn't have to be in the right position to defend. He's earned his starting spot so let's see how he goes against France, England and Scotland. Easy to look at Hansen today and ask how did Aussie rugby let him go but I wonder how many people would have ranked him a year ago as a must-keep. There could be another Wallaby lurking in all those Sydney Uni players who have just gone overseas but no one is suggesting now who the Wallaby may be.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Harry's got his hands full in Super Rugby first. Hope he has a great year.
Dean
Roar Rookie
What a great match of Rugby. Credit to both teams. Ireland we’re very, very good. Connor Murray was a little disappointing when he came on. The Irish pack were excellent and Sexton was Champagne. Wales was who I wanted to win, but I’m very happy for Ireland. Mack Hansen deserved player of the match - well done! He was class throughout. Hungry on and off of the ball and his positioning and link play was first class. Such a shame that our Australian coaches preferred Wright and Banks at Super level and Beale at National level - confounding!!
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Congratulations Ireland and Hanson. He played well on debut and showed great vision. Against France in Paris it will be a real step up in class and intensity, it should be a great game.
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
Harry Wilson should be heading overseas too, for some quality coaching and stronger opposition to test himself against.
WEST
Roar Guru
Geezas, poor Wales.. Hard to be competitive with so many starters missing. Ireland vs France will be a good one to watch. Congrats Ireland :thumbup:
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Ask the Brumbies. They had quite a clean out of their young backline talent and replaced them with some strange pickups.
wigeye
Guest
Because rugby Australia would rather go back to the likes of Beale hello. The game plan for the rebuild must of been lost in Translation. Other country's know the value of bringing on the youth. Look at the motivation Hansen has now
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Well done Ireland. Good to see Mack H become an international. Hope he continues to go well.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
The Irish were as good as the Welsh were poor. How did Mack Hansen escape Rugby Australia?? It’s not like we are tripping over quality full backs!!
Leroy14
Roar Rookie
Happy for Mack Hanson. Sad for Aussie rugby. He played well.