Hansen scores hat-trick as Ireland thrash Wallabies

Quilter Nations Series

Ireland (19) 46

Tries: Hansen 3, Doris, Baird, Henshaw Cons: Prendergast 2, Crowley 3 Pen: Crowley Drop-goal: Prendergast

Australia (14) 19

Mack Hansen scored a superb first-half hat-trick to help lift Ireland to a comprehensive win over Australia in an entertaining Test at Aviva Stadium.

Starting an Ireland game at full-back for the first time, Canberra-born Hansen starred in a slick Irish attack on his return from a foot injury with three tries inside the opening 30 minutes.

The Wallabies – coached by former Ireland boss Joe Schmidt – stayed in touch at half-time thanks to Len Ikitau and Fraser McReight tries.

But after Sam Prendergast stretched Ireland’s lead with a drop-goal and Tommy O’Brien had a try ruled out for a knock-on, Caelan Doris’ 70th-minute try ensured a comfortable Irish victory.

Despite losing Nick Frost to a yellow card for his hit on Thomas Clarkson during the Doris score, Billy Pollard went over for Australia’s third try.

However, the hosts surged to the finish line as late Ryan Baird and Robbie Henshaw scores capped a much-improved Ireland performance and a fifth successive win over Australia.

Saturday’s game presented an opportunity for both sides to deliver a much-needed statement performance, with the wounded Wallabies chasing a first win in Dublin since 2013 after bruising defeats by England and Italy.

But Australian confidence was further punctured by a fired-up Ireland, who immediately set about atoning for their sluggish start in last week’s uninspiring win over Japan with renewed intent and aggression.

After the Japan game, Farrell told his players to “get over themselves” and, led by the irrepressible Hansen, they took his words to heart.

Having already claimed his first high ball with ease, Hansen finished a couple of sharp Irish attacks under the posts, the first coming after neat offloads from Sam Prendergast and Stuart McCloskey, whose game was ended prematurely by a recurrence of a groin injury.

Prendergast, restored at fly-half ahead of Jack Crowley, was the chief architect of the second, his quickly-taken kick to the corner forcing a knock-on from the retreating Max Jorgensen as the full-back tried to prevent a 50:22.

From there, Ireland quickly worked the ball to Hansen for his second.

With 28 minutes on the clock, he had his hat-trick when he darted through a gap in the Wallabies defence after Tommy O’Brien did well to claim a Prendergast kick under pressure from Jorgensen.

Hansen’s second and third tries came either side of Australia’s opener, scored by returning centre Ikitau, who made a spell of sustained Wallaby pressure count when he barged past Prendergast under the posts.

Ireland were initially frustrated in the first half. While Prendergast – who like Hansen was given a standing ovation when he was replaced – nailed a drop-goal, Dan Sheehan was held up on the try line by Harry Potter.

Then, after a wonderful piece of Prendergast playmaking, O’Brien’s celebrations were cut short when his try was ruled out for a knock-on from James Lowe.

But after replacement fly-half Jack Crowley slotted over a penalty, Hansen caught a ball inside Australian territory to launch the attack that ended with Doris – who missed out on facing the Wallabies with the British and Irish Lions because of injury – crashing over.

Pollard then scored in the corner for Australia, but as they faded, Ireland raced clear as Baird and Henshaw both crossed to put gloss on the scoreline and fuel Irish confidence before next week’s meeting with the Springboks.

Ireland: M Hansen, T O’Brien, R Henshaw, S McCloskey, J Lowe; S Prendergast, J Gibson-Park; P McCarthy, D Sheehan, T Furlong ; J Ryan, T Beirne; R Baird, C Doris (capt), J Conan.

Replacements: R Kelleher, A Porter, T Clarkson, C Prendergast, N Timoney, C Casey, J Crowley, B Aki.

Australia: M Jorgensen; F Daugunu, J-A Suaalii, L Ikitau, H Potter; J O’Connor, J Gordon; A Bell, M Faessler, A Alaalatoa, J Williams, T Hooper; R Valetini, F McReight, H Wilson (capt).

Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)

Assistant referees: Pierre Brousset (FFR) and Adam Leal (RFU)

Television match official (TMO): Ian Tempest (RFU)