When Connacht announced the signing of Mack Hansen in April of last year, the reaction from Down Under indicated they had pinched a real prospect from under the noses of the Aussies.
We were told he was Irish qualified, and while he only had some limited Super Rugby experiences, those in the know suggested he had bags of natural talent and a real future.
Given Connacht's strike rate on overseas signings, you'd have been confident in Hansen being a success in the west of Ireland. What's surprising is that he's been an instant success.
The 23-year-old is in his first "full" International camp this week. He got his first taste of the Test environment in November when he was drafted in as injury cover, but it was only a short stay.
A second call-up for the opening rounds of the Six Nations this year feels like the real thing, and the Canberra native says he's still pinching himself at the thoughts of potentially becoming an international player.
"I'd be lying if I said just being here would be great - which it would - but being here now I want to put my name forward and hopefully get that cap," he said, as Ireland continue their Six Nations preparations at their training camp in Portugal.
"That would definitely be an accomplishment I hope I can get. If it doesn’t come to that, all I can do is go back, keep playing my rugby and hopefully get another opportunity. Now that I am here and here for the ride I’ll definitely be striving to get that cap."
Hansen has made an instant impact since arriving at the Sportsground from the Brumbies in the summer, scoring six tries in nine games for the province, and particularly announcing himself as a cult hero with a brace in the October Interpro win against Ulster at the Aviva Stadium.
That October form led to his initial Ireland call-up in November, which he says has given him a great foundation to hit the ground running in 2022.
"I was in for a week and still had all the stuff to learn, like all the new plays, all the new calls, which can be a bit frantic at times but that's what it takes because you want to get it all in your brain as soon as possible so you’re not really wasting any sessions out there.
"That was pretty much the main takeaway, just that extra step up from club rugby where you’ve got a bit more time to focus. Yeah, it’s a lot quicker, a lot faster and you need to hit the ground running a bit quicker."
He admits becoming an Ireland international wasn't necessarily on his radar until the offer to join Connacht came out.
"It has been something I have always wanted to do. Just because I didn't really grow up here in Ireland, doesn't mean I don't find this place home."
However, he also adds that playing international rugby - whether it's for Ireland or Australia - would have seemed "surreal" until recently.
"It would be unbelievable. It would just be surreal to hit the peak of rugby, where I honestly didn't really think I would ever get to.
"I have been asked would it feel different putting on the Wallaby shirt, I don't think it would make any difference.
"It has been something I have always wanted to do. Just because I didn't really grow up here in Ireland, doesn't mean I don't find this place home.
"I have taken to this place as much as I can and they have given back to me the same. It would be such a special moment. I had offers to go other places but I knew I wanted to come here to chance my hand and have an opportunity to play international football.
"It was something that was always in the back of my head, I won't lie to you...
"To think it would come on real quick, I didn't really think about that all. I was more just focused on playing well for Connacht and if I could do that then the rest would kind of take care of itself.
"I’m still lost for words sometimes when I’m realising I’m here and being able to hang out with some of the best players in the world. It’s just unreal.
Hansen qualifies for Ireland through his mother Diana, who hails from Castlemartyr in Cork, but Covid-19 has "thrown a spanner in the works" of a couple of attempts to get down to visit his extended family.
"They were stoked, absolutely stoked for me," he says of his parents' reaction to his call-up.
"Mum is fully Irish, so you can tell that she's a little bit more excited. She probably doesn't want to admit it, but I think she has taken to footie a little bit more knowing that I am playing for her home country.
"They are both ecstatic for me. Same with my dad, he doesn't mind where I am playing as long as I am enjoying myself, which I really am over here."
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