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Mack Hansen lights up Aviva Stadium as Ireland rout Australia

Updated / Sunday, 16 Nov 2025 00:05
Mack Hansen scores his third try
Mack Hansen scores his third try

Mack Hansen lit up Aviva Stadium with a stunning first-half hat-trick that paved the way for a record Ireland win over Australia.

After stuttering to varying degrees in their November Tests against New Zealand and Japan, Ireland were massively improved in front of a full house at Lansdowne Road.

The lineout was unrecognisable from the opening games, the scrum provided a solid base, they dominated the aerial exchanges in slippery conditions and outplayed Joe Schmidt's team in all facets of the game.

It still wasn't perfect, with a lull at the end of the first half worrying, but enough to see off a tired Wallabies side and provide a confidence boost ahead of next Saturday's clash against South Africa.

Hansen's three tries had Ireland 19-14 up at the half-time and they stayed in command with Sam Prendergast's drop-goal, while captain Caelan Doris, Ryan Baird and Robbie Henshaw all crossed in the second half to give Andy Farrell's a deserved 27-point record winning margin over the Rugby Championship side.

Any concerns about the Connacht back making his first Test outing at full-back were quickly dispelled.

Hansen took just 28 minutes to help himself to a hat-trick and bring his international try tally to 15 in 29 caps.

He might only have made a little over 15 metres for the three scores but he was in the right place each time and showed a natural finisher's instinct.

15 November 2025; Mack Hansen of Ireland scores his side's first try during the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between Ireland and Australia at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Mack Hansen dives over for his first try in the sixth minute

The first came moments after a Max Jorgensen knock on as he tried to run from his own 22 before lock Jeremy Williams went offside. Jamison Gibson-Park tapped quickly and James Lowe was stopped just short.

But the ball was recycled quickly and Jack Conan, Prendergast and Stuart McCloskey, who departed after just 27 minutes with an injury, popped to Hansen who ran in unopposed under the posts.

The second finish was almost a carbon copy with Prendergast's clever long free-kick setting up field position.

From a five-metre scrum, Hansen, aided by Prendergast and Henshaw, dived home in the same spot as Australia ran out of defenders.

Hansen was solid on the other side of the ball, finding himself again well positioned to deal with Australian high balls.

It was as good as Ireland had played in the November window to date, the lineout was excellent and they dominated in the air.

However, Australia never panicked and as the rain began to fall steadily, struck for their first try.

They kept possession inside the Irish half and drew penalty advantages from Baird and Conan infringements before Len Ikitau ran around the corner and pushed past Prendergast close to the posts.

Gibson-Park and Prendergast continued to play the ball in the right areas and soon after the scrum-half kicked a 50:22, the hosts had a third try on the board.

First Tommy O'Brien's dink led to a five-metre scrum and then an under pressure Prendergast cross-kicked perfectly for the Leinster winger, who did brilliantly to take in the ball and lay it back for Hansen to pick up and drive low over the whitewash for his hat-trick.

Ireland were patient in defence, too, and forced a couple of errors before their discipline completely deserted them.

Henshaw took out Harry Potter in the air before Paddy McCarthy, on his first Test start, infringed at the breakdown.

Lowe, James Ryan and Tadhg Beirne gave away more penalties and Ireland had to rely on two lineout steals from Baird to hold out.

But the momentum was with the Wallabies and Fraser McReight picked up and dotted down under the posts with James O'Connor's conversion the last action of an entertaining half.

The ball was like a bar of soap as the drizzle continued in the second half with both teams fumbling possession.

Ireland had an early chance to extend their lead but Dan Sheehan was held up over the line when Ireland probed after forcing two penalties.

There was nothing really on when Prendergast took the ball to the line and a little show-and-go bought 30 metres but the visitors forced a knock on out the line.

But Ireland did extend their lead in the 56th minute when Prendergast slipped into the pocket during a penalty advantage and slotted a drop-goal from 45 metres out.

Farrell unloaded his forward replacements before the hour mark and Ireland almost grabbed a fourth try. Jorgensen couldn't deal with a deep spiral bomb but a Lowe knockout led to O'Brien's try being called back by the TMO.

They did, however, come away with a Jack Crowley penalty moments later when the Aussie pack conceded at the scrum, which had been coming under increased pressure as the half wore on.

Aki then got caught offside but the ball was overthrown at a close-range lineout and Doris carried out of danger.

The visitors were beginning to tire; this was their 14th Test of the year, and the experience of Doris and Gibson-Park, and the assured hands of Hansen kept Ireland on the front foot.

An outrageous Gibson-Park dummy inside his own half started a move that led to captain Doris barging over for a thoroughly deserved try with 10 minutes to play.

Crowley converted from the sideline and at the same time Australia, who had beaten the British and Irish Lions and South Africa this year, were reduced to 14 when Nick Frost took Thomas Clarkson, who needed a HIA, off the ball in the build-up.

Australia replied with replacement hooker Billy Pollard shearing off to score a consolation try in the corner but it was Ireland who fittingly had the last say.

Crowley kicked a penalty into the corner and Aki barged up the middle before being hauled down just short. Baird, Ireland's best player of the series, was on hand to power over.

There was still time for more icing on the cake.

Rónan Kelleher danced around a couple of defenders before Gibson-Parked found Henshaw with a cross-kick and the Leinster centre had the pace to finish in the corner.

It sets the team up perfectly ahead of next weekend's mouth-watering match-up with the world champions.

Ireland: Mack Hansen; Tommy O'Brien, Robbie Henshaw, Stuart McCloskey, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park, Paddy McCarthy, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne; Ryan Baird, Caelan Doris (capt), Jack Conan.

Replacements: Rónan Kelleher (Sheehan 57), Andrew Porter (Porter 48), Thomas Clarkson (Furlong 57-72 HIA), Nick Timoney (Conan 48), Cian Prendergast (Ryan 57), Craig Casey (Gibson-Park 71 (Hansen 72)), Jack Crowley (Prendergast 61), Bundee Aki (McCloskey 27).

Australia: Max Jorgensen; Filipo Daugunu, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Harry Potter; James O'Connor, Jake Gordon; Angus Bell, Matt Faessler, Allan Alaalatoa; Jeremy Williams, Tom Hooper; Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson (capt).

Replacements: Billy Pollard (Faessler 53), Tom Robertson (Bell 53), Zane Nonggorr (Alaalatoa 60), Nick Frost (Williams 55), Carlo Tizzano (Valetini 62), Ryan Lonergan (Gordon 71), Tane Edmed (O'Connor 71), Andrew Kellaway (Daugunu 59).

Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)

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