CONNACHT AND IRELAND winger Mack Hansen has admitted today that the decision to switch allegiances from Australia to Ireland was the 'best decision of his career and life'.
Hansen, who is Australia-born, appeared for Australia at the 2018 World Rugby Under 20 Championship, but due to his Cork-born mother and the World Rugby's residency rule Hansen decided to sign a deal with the IRFU.
After impressive displays for Connacht, Hansen was selected for the Irish Six Nations squad in 2021.
The former Brumbies player scored an amazing try against France in March and since then has become one of Andy Farrell's mainstays.
After an impressive debut year for Ireland Hansen was nominated for the '2022 World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year', alongside Leinster's Dan Sheehan this week.
‘The decision to play for Ireland has been the best decision of my career and my life.’
No regrets for Mack Hansen ahead of emotional reunion with the Wallabies on Saturday. https://t.co/7Lbo8snzuN— Cian Tracey (@CianTracey1) November 16, 2022
Ireland play Australia this weekend in the final game of the Autumn Nations Series.
Hansen could well have been preparing for the game against Ireland in a Wallabies jersey this week, but the 24-year-old has not looked back on his decision to represent Ireland at international level.
"Since I made my decision there have been no thoughts of backtracking at all. I'm very happy where I am," the Ireland winger admitted
"I guess you could think what could have been with anything, so no, the decision to play for Ireland has been the best decision of my career and my life. I'm loving it over here and enjoying it. I haven’t had too many thoughts about that to be honest.
"It is still nice to hear from your peers and people back home but not once have I been upset or kind of thought what if, if I stayed there or made the move [home]."
Hansen also added that he owed departing Connacht head coach Andy Freind a lot for talking a gamble on him and bringing him to Connacht in the 2021-2022 season
Friend announced this week that he would be stepping down from role with Connacht, after five years in charge.
"He took a good gamble on me," Hansen says.
"When he first got onto me, I wasn't playing too much. I think he just... I guess Connacht just give blokes a crack, and hope they can kick on.
"I'm going to miss Andy and [his wife] Kerri a load but he'll be leaving Connacht in a good place anyway.
"It's definitely time for him to go home, as I've talked to him, his kids are starting to have kids and all that, so it's time for him to settle down and be a grandpa back home."
Ireland plays Australia at 8pm on Saturday.
Ireland's team will be announced later this week
