The name Mack Hansen elicits warm memories among his previous teammates from the ACT Brumbies. However, come Sunday morning AEDT, when he takes the field for Ireland against the Wallabies in the last Test of their spring tour, they will not hold back in their efforts to win.

Hansen's eligibility to represent Ireland stems from his mother, Diana, who is from Castlemartyr in County Cork. She migrated to Australia with her family during her childhood. After being overlooked in Australia, Hansen made the move to Ireland in 2021 to join the club Connacht, where he debuted for the Test team the following year. During a match in Dublin in 2022, he played a pivotal role in helping Ireland secure a narrow 13-10 victory over the Wallabies.

His old teammate, Wallabies prop James Slipper, expressed admiration for Hansen's decision to pursue his career abroad, highlighting his origins in Canberra. Slipper reminisced about their time at the Brumbies, noting that Hansen once relied on his parents for post-training pickups and lunches, underscoring the transformation he has undergone since then.

Tom Wright, the Wallabies' fullback, proclaimed Hansen as one of the "cult heroes" of Irish rugby, attesting to his innate skill and popularity among teammates in Canberra. He praised Hansen’s seamless adaptation to the Irish culture and the unique style of play.

Despite appreciating Hansen's success, there is a palpable sense of regret within the Wallabies camp over the player's departure. Laurie Fisher, an assistant coach for the Wallabies, reflected on Hansen as "one that got away," confirming that a strong offer was made in an effort to retain him. However, Hansen's move provided him an environment that nurtured his talent and allowed him to thrive.

In this match, Hansen will be joined by another former Canberran, Finlay Bealham, who will take the position of tighthead prop for Ireland. Bealham also has deep ties to Canberra, having attended St Edmund's College. The Wallabies were victorious in their first two Tests of the tour, edging out England and Wales, but suffered a loss to Scotland, taking them out of contention for a grand slam finish.