Former scrum-half Conor Murray said that Mack Hansen has “world-class ability” after his first-half hat-trick in Ireland’s 46-19 win against Australia on Saturday.
Hansen, who was starting an Ireland game at full-back for the first time, starred on his return from a foot injury with three tries inside the opening 30 minutes as Ireland picked up a record win over Australia.
Speaking on the Ireland Rugby Social podcast, Murray praised Canberra-born Hansen for his influence on and off the pitch for Andy Farrell’s side.
“He has been missed around the squad because he is such a personality. Whatever he brings to the group, he just makes people feel really good,” Murray explained.
“He brings fun, he brings a relaxed atmosphere and then he brings this world-class ability to play rugby.
“His tries look easy, the first two especially, but I can be sure, watching them back, he’s been talking to Sam [Prendergast] or Bundee [Aki], or whoever he’s trying to be on the shoulder of to link with.
“He’s been chatting to them and that’s why he came in from being injured to not playing that much rugby to starting at full-back for Ireland because Andy trusts him, that he’ll come in, communicate and can finish off those tries.”
