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Inside Mack Hansen’s Australia homecoming as injured Ireland star reunites with pals Down Under before Six Nations
In one side-aching moment, he films on as his pals race down hill towards a lake, only for them to fall over into the water
MACK HANSEN took the injury-enforced time off to reunite with friends on a trip to his native Australia.
The Connacht winger is nursing an injury that ruled him out of representing Ireland at the Six Nations.
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As he rehabs from that injury, the 25-year-old jetted off Down Under, where he met up with a number of his mates.
Originally from Canberra, Hansen shared photos and videos of his return to Australia, which included an extended period in Sydney.
In one side-aching moment, he films on as his pals race down hill towards a lake, only for them to fall over into the water.
His trip took place prior to Ireland's hammering of Italy in Dublin, with Andy Farrell's men romping to a 36-0 win for their second win in two games.
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Hansen was in the Aviva for the game, sat nearby to fellow injured stars Jimmy O'Brien and Ross Byrne.
He was easy to spot by fans, with videos on social media revealing him in an Ireland jersey with 'Sexton 69' on the back in honour of former captain Johnny Sexton.
His presence at Lansdowne Road meant he was witness to Ireland routing Italy to continue their defence of the Six Nations.
Hansen helped the Boys in Green win the Grand Slam in 2023 in what was his first Championship campaign in the green jersey.
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And speaking on the Kick Offs and Kick Ons podcast, Hansen gave an insight into what makes Ireland tick on the field.
He said: "Just the environment they've made it.
"We talk about it all the time. We actually look forward to going into camp.
"Like I remember when I was going into 20s and stuff I used to dread, I used to hate going up for any of that sort of stuff.
"But this one you really look forward to. They've just made it work so when you're working, you're working but when it's time to switch off and have a bit of fun you can do that as well.
"So I think that's really key to why we're doing so well."
Hansen also used the podcast to shower praise on young Stevie Mulrooney, who was the talk of the town for his performance of Ireland's Call prior to the game.
Despite the 53,000 crowd 'scaring the life' out of him, the eight-year-old produced a stirring rendition of the anthem, much to the visible delight of head coach Andy Farrell.
Ireland centre Bundee Aki went so far as to call for Mulrooney to sing the anthem more often after being left with goosebumps by the young man's version.
And Mack Hansen joined in the praising of the Kilkenny youngster.
He said: "He belted it out didn't he?
"There's a thing here (The Late Late Toy Show), he was on a show singing 'shoulder to shoulder' and then Bundee (Aki) and Pete (O'Mahony) came out and he nailed it there as well.
"To do it in front of 50,000, fair play to him. Then he gave a good 'come on Ireland' afterwards as well, I don't know if anybody caught that.
"Nah he was great."