Australia-born Mack Hansen hasn’t played at GIO Stadium since June 2021, but the former ACT Brumbies winger will get the chance to run out onto the turf at the iconic Canberra stadium on Wednesday, named on the bench for the British & Irish Lions.
Hansen played 21 games for the Brumbies over three seasons before taking up an opportunity in Ireland with URC side Connacht – shown a yellow card on debut away to Welsh club Cardiff Blues at Cardiff Arms Park.
Ireland coach Andy Farrell would later give Hansen a chance in the Test arena, with the Australian becoming a regular starter for the international rugby juggernauts. Hansen went to the 2023 Rugby World Cup and has been impressive on tour with the Lions so far.
Du Toit on team alignment
Brumbies captain Ryan Lonergan “played a lot of footy against” Hansen growing up, and the pair were both regulars on the bench for the Brumbies for quite some time. Lonergan and Hansen haven’t seen each other in years, but the old teammates will be reunited this week.
“Super special to be able to go up against Mack, I’m sure he’ll be talking heaps of sh** as he always does,”
“We’ve been great mates since we’re about 12 really. Really looking forward to catching up with him, haven’t seen him since he went.
“I remember talking to him when he was thinking about leaving and he was just chasing opportunity really,” he added later.
“We had a pretty set back three here at the time and he just took a stab and went overseas and we’re all happy for him. As a good friend, you want to see him go and make the most of his opportunity and he’s done that.”
Lonergan was sitting in the stands at GIO Stadium when the Brumbies shocked the Lions 14-12 in 2013. The Brumbies were firm underdogs going into that match in mid-June, and it’s a similar story this time around, with the Lions boasting an unbeaten run in Australia to date.
The Lions started their tour of Australia with a dominant win over the Western Force at Perth’s Optus Stadium before getting the better of the Queensland Reds and NSW Waratahs. Saturday’s clash with the Tahs was dramatic, with the visitors holding on for a 21-10 win.
Fixture
British & Irish Lions
Brumbies
British & Irish Lions
The memories of 2013 were always going to be a talking point this week. Lonergan let out a smile when asked about that match, before gesturing over to the south stand, where the future captain was sitting alongside brother Lachlan Lonergan all those years ago.
“I still remember it. I think I was sitting over there somewhere as a little fella when we got up over the Lions,” Lonergan reflected.
“Such a memorable moment, even as a fan, so to be able to do it tomorrow as a player [is] super special and the boys are really excited.
“We’re a proud club and I think how rare it is for the occasion to come around, once every 12 years, it’s going to be built up and it’s going to be special. We’re really excited to go out and put in a good fight.”
