Ireland delivered a statement performance ahead of their showdown with the world champion Springboks, sweeping aside Australia in Dublin on Saturday.
Mack Hansen was the star of the night, scoring a first-half hat-trick inside 30 minutes as Ireland recorded an impressive 46-19 victory – their biggest-ever win over the Wallabies.
The Australia-born fullback, starting in the No 15 jersey for the first time at Test level, downplayed his role.
“That is the pleasure of playing with this team, I just had to grab the ball and run over the line – I didn’t really have to do much!” said Hansen. “There has been a lot of talk that I wasn’t born here and didn’t grow up here, but this feels like home.”
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Ireland coach Andy Farrell praised the way his side raised their standards after being below par in recent weeks.
“To keep playing to the end and play some good stuff right until the bell shows some nice character from ourselves,” Farrell said. “It wasn’t all going our way, but we found a way to compose ourselves. I think it was very pleasing in the second half how we managed the game.”
Hansen struck twice inside the opening 15 minutes, both converted by Sam Prendergast, before Australia hit back through Len Ikitau, who powered through Prendergast to score.
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Prendergast responded in style, producing a pinpoint cross-kick to Tommy O’Brien, whose break set up Hansen’s third try. But Australia stayed in the fight, with Fraser McReight’s hard-earned try cutting the deficit to 19-14 at the break.
The visitors started the second half with intent, and Harry Potter produced a superb defensive effort to deny Dan Sheehan over the line. But Ireland steadied themselves through Prendergast’s long-range drop goal, and replacement Jack Crowley added a penalty to stretch the lead to 25-14.
Hansen continued to torment the Wallabies, his high-ball take inside the 22 eventually leading to captain Caelan Doris crashing over. Even after Nick Frost’s yellow card, Australia showed heart as Billy Pollard crossed to make it 32-19. But Ireland finished strongest.
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Late tries from Ryan Baird and Robbie Henshaw, both converted by Crowley, sealed a convincing win and a confidence-boosting night for the hosts ahead of next weekend’s clash with the Boks.
– AFP
Photo: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images
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