MacKenzie Hansen (born 27 March 1998) is a professional rugby union player who plays as a wing for United Rugby Championship club Connacht. Born in Australia, he represents Ireland at international level, qualifying through his Irish mother.

Mack Hansen
Hansen representing Ireland during the 2023 Six Nations Championship
Full nameMacKenzie Hansen
Date of birth (1998-03-27) 27 March 1998 (age 26)
Place of birthCanberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Height1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Weight89 kg (196 lb; 14 st 0 lb)
SchoolDaramalan College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing, Fullback
Current team Connacht
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2017–2019 Canberra Vikings 16 (30)
2018–2021 Brumbies 21 (18)
2021– Connacht 36 (60)
Correct as of 12 October 2024
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2018 Australia U20 5 (15)
2022– Ireland 25 (60)
Correct as of 30 November 2024

Professional career

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Club Career

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After having played for the Brumbies in Super Rugby, he signed a two-year deal with Connacht ahead of the 2021–22 season.[1]

In December 2024, Connacht lost 20–12 Leinster in the URC. Following the match, Hansen was critical of the officiating team suggesting referee Chris Busby and TMO Mark Patton had been inconsistent in the way they had reviewed incidents throughout the game and that this was part of a wider problem where Connacht never seemed to have any decisions go their way.[2]

International career

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Hansen appeared for Australia at the 2018 World Rugby Under 20 Championship.

Hansen is eligible to represent Ireland through his Cork-born mother.[1] Hansen was included in the Ireland squad for the 2022 Six Nations Championship in January 2022.[3]

He was selected in the starting XV for his debut, and impressed in Ireland's opening 29–7 victory against Wales on 5 February, earning the player of the match award.[4] Hansen was nominated for the 2022 World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year.[5] He was called up to the Ireland squad again for the 2023 Six Nations Championship, helping secure a 34–20 victory over Italy with two tries in a player of the match performance in round 3.[6] He scored another try and secured his third player-of-the-match performance in eight Six Nations matches in Ireland's 7–22 win over Scotland in round 4 of the 2023 Championship.[7] He was once again awarded man of the match in Ireland's 29–10 win over England in their 2023 World Cup warm up match.[8] In August 2023, he was selected to be part of Ireland's World Cup squad ahead of the 2023 World Cup in France.[9] Hansen had to be taken off in Ireland's last Pool stage match against Scotland, after concerns that he was not going to play the quarterfinal against New Zealand, it was announced that he was in the Irish squad ahead of the game on 14 October.[10]

Career statistics

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Hansen during player of the match interview following Ireland's win over Italy in the 2023 Six Nations.
 
Hansen scores a try during the 2023 Six Nations.

List of international tries

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Number Position Points Tries Result Opposition Venue Date Ref.
1 Wing 5 1 Lost France Stade de France 12 February 2022 [11]
2 Wing 5 1 Won South Africa Aviva Stadium 5 November 2022 [12]
3 Wing 5 1 Won Fiji Aviva Stadium 12 November 2022 [13]
4–5 Wing 10 2 Won Italy Stadio Olimpico 25 February 2023 [14]
6 Wing 5 1 Won Scotland Murrayfield Stadium 12 March 2023 [15]
7 Wing 5 1 Won England Aviva Stadium 19 August 2023 [8]
8 Wing 5 1 Won Tonga Nantes 17 September 2023 [16]
9 Wing 5 1 Won South Africa Stade de France 23 September 2023 [17]
10 Wing 5 1 Won Argentina Aviva Stadium 15 November 2024 [18]
11–12 Wing 10 2 Won Fiji Aviva Stadium 23 November 2024 [19]

as of 23 December 2024

Honours

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Ireland

References

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  1. ^ a b "Connacht sign Ireland-qualified Australian prospect Mack Hansen". RTÉ Sport. 21 April 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  2. ^ "'Like 16 men against us' - Mack Hansen blasts officials after Connacht defeat to Leinster". RTE. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
  3. ^ "Uncapped Hansen and Lowry named in Ireland squad". RTÉ Sport. 19 January 2022. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  4. ^ "Hansen stars as impressive Ireland power to bonus-point win over Wales". The42. 5 February 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  5. ^ "Johnny Sexton and Josh van der Flier nominated for World Rugby Player of the Year". the42. 14 November 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  6. ^ "As it happened: Italy v Ireland, Six Nations". the42. 25 February 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  7. ^ "Hansen's cool head a tonic as he produces totemic display at Murrayfield". the42. 12 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  8. ^ a b "Ireland 29-10 England". Autumn Internationals. 19 August 2023. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
  9. ^ "Ireland name squad for World Cup - as it happened". BBC. 27 August 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  10. ^ "The Left Wing: Mack Hansen recovers as Andy Farrell names his Ireland team to face New Zealand".
  11. ^ Baker, Luke (12 February 2022). "DUPONT AND JAMINET HELP FRANCE EDGE IRELAND IN PARIS THRILLER". Six Nations Rugby. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  12. ^ "Ireland hold off Springboks in Autumn Nations Series thriller". Autumn Nations Series. 5 November 2022. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  13. ^ "Timoney impresses as Ireland beat Fiji". Autumn Nations Series. 12 November 2022. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  14. ^ "IRELAND STAY PERFECT WITH NERVY WIN OVER ITALY". Six Nations Rugby. 25 February 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  15. ^ Hart, Ben (12 March 2023). "IRELAND ON COURSE FOR GRAND SLAM AFTER BT MURRAYFIELD SUCCESS". Six Nations Rugby. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  16. ^ "Sexton breaks record as eight-try Ireland beat Tonga". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  17. ^ "South Africa 8-13 Ireland: Irish deliver statement World Cup win over holders in Paris". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  18. ^ Glennon, Michael (15 November 2024). "Ireland ratings: Ringrose & McCarthy best against Pumas". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  19. ^ Glennon, Michael (23 November 2024). "Autumn Nations Series recap: Ireland 52-17 Fiji". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
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