Ireland crushes Australia 46-19: Hansen shines with hat-trick

Mack Hansen starred in a stellar performance by scoring a ‘hat trick’ in the first half, propelling Ireland to a historic 46-19 victory over Australia in Dublin. Hansen, born in Canberra, who debuted as a defender at the test level, celebrated his return from a foot injury with three scores in the first 28 minutes, delighting the crowd at the Aviva Stadium. Caelan Doris, Ryan Baird, and Robbie Henshaw’s tries in the second half ensured that coach Andy Farrell once again got the better of Joe Schmidt, former Ireland coach. Australia, who were only five points behind at halftime after converted tries from Len Ikitau and Fraser McReight, managed a late consolation through Billy Pollard. Ireland emerged as a deserved winner, preparing to complete their autumn campaign at home against the world champions, South Africa, next weekend. Out-half Sam Prendergast added seven points, including a drop goal, for the dominant hosts, before his replacement, Jack Crowley, scored another nine.

Farrell led the British and Irish Lions to a 2-1 series victory over Schmidt’s Wallabies in the summer, following Ireland’s 22-19 victory over the same opponents last November. Their team, which presented nine personnel changes from last weekend’s disjointed 41-10 success over Japan, was rewarded with a fast start on a rainy Saturday night. Hansen scored twice in the first 11 minutes, diving under the posts after being assisted by Stuart McCloskey following a quick penalty, before receiving a pass from Prendergast to register an identical effort. Australia, which suffered a shocking defeat to Italy last weekend and had lost five of its previous six tests, responded when center Ikitau outpaced Prendergast to score. Hansen, whose mother is from Cork, further punished his native land, crossing the line on the right after Prendergast’s cross-kick was knocked backwards by Tommy O’Brien. However, the Wallabies were only 19-14 down at halftime when flanker McReight scored in the last play of the first half, with fly-half James O’Connor adding his second conversion. Ireland had struggled to excite with their performances this month and would have been keen to secure greater control of the scoreboard. After hooker Dan Sheehan was held up over the line, Prendergast slotted a drop goal from distance before providing a sumptuous cross-kick assist for O’Brien, only for the score to be disallowed for a knock on in the build-up. Crowley, instead of the impressive Prendergast, scored a penalty to stretch the score to 25-14. Captain Doris scored after sustained pressure, with Crowley adding a difficult conversion, before Australia was forced to play the last 10 minutes with one man less after substitute Nick Frost was cautioned for a high tackle on Tom Clarkson in the build-up. Despite the Wallabies’ numerical disadvantage, replacement hooker Pollard scored to reduce the deficit. But Ireland responded twice to seal an emphatic six-try victory, with Baird scoring before Henshaw broke away on the left after being released by a sensational kick from Jamison Gibson-Park.