After Ireland's defeat to England last weekend there was sure to be some disappointment ruminating around the HPC on Monday morning. However, a welcome sight for all was the face of Mack Hansen back in camp after being invited to continue his shoulder rehab with the team.
Hansen, speaking as part of Red Bull's 'Wings For Life Campaign' told of how the mood although grim at the start of the week, returned to the usual fun environment after a couple days.
Look, yeah, Monday was a bit doom and gloom.
I kinda knew it was coming on Monday because we've had one or two of those meetings where maybe we've thought we let the occasion get ahead of us a bit. So, I knew it was going to be a tough morning, it was going to be a lot of reflecting on what could have been.
"But saying that, Faz [Andy Farrell] was pretty good at just telling everyone, ya know, 'this happened. Now it's time to move on. We've still got stuff to play for, we've still got plenty to play for.'
"So, the last two days have been great. There's been a bubbly energy around the group, everyone's laughing, smiling, and it's just excitement for this week ahead, really."
That environment and culture has been alluded to by many of the players. Hansen, a native of Canberra and former Australia U20 player, was delighted to rejoin the squad and feels the environment Andy Farrell has created is particularly special.
Yeah, it was great to be back in there with all the fellas, for sure.
Every time you go up there it is really good fun. It just doesn't seem like a typical footy camp. I've said it before when I had to go away for (Australia) 20s, it just seemed like a bit of a chore more than anything.
It was great to play for Australia then, but at the same time you'd almost dread going up to camp a little bit. Whereas this is the complete opposite, like when Faz gave me the call I was thrilled, I was chomping at the bit to get up there and get involved again."
Mack Hansen Announced as the Irish Ambassador for This Year’s Wings for Life World Run 13/3/2024
Irish Rugby International Mack Hansen was today announced as the Irish ambassador for this year’s Wings for Life World Run, the world’s largest running event. Taking place globally on Sunday May 5th, all funds raised from the run go directly to spinal cord research at the Wings for Life Foundation. To register and to join Mack’s team, visit www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com.
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/James Crombie
On the game against England, Hansen was surprised at the wider reaction. He concedes it was a disappointing performance, however, he reaffirmed that there is still loads to play for this weekend.
Look, it wasn't our best game. Everyone knows that, they know that themselves".
Regardless win or lose, this week's always gonna be the week that they were gonna have to go for, to win the Championship.
So, yeah there's still a Six Nations title on the line. I was saying, it's not like we're out of contention or something, we're top of the table and still have a chance to lift a trophy and win some silverware. There's still plenty on the line that makes it an exciting week."
READ HERE: Matt Williams Thinks Ireland Got Their Comeuppance For 6-2 Split v England
Due to the severity of his injury he picked up while playing for Connacht, Hansen has missed the whole of the Six Nations. Although, he is hopeful of returning to action before end of season he isn't going to rush anything.
I'm kinda over halfway at the moment. Maybe around May hoping to get back around then. But yeah I think definitely before the end of the season but not looking to push it just looking to get it right for sure."
During his rehab, Hansen has returned to his roots and made time to check out his mother's home of Castlemartyr although it has slightly changed.
Yeah, I've been down, saw the old family home and caught up with a lot of cousins and made a trip around Cork and all that."
It was great fun. It was really cool to see where my Mum grew up and its now a Chinese takeaway or something like that. Which was funny enough, Its called like Mr. Tasty or something.
Yeah, so it was cool to see."
Speaking of his involvement with the 'Wings For Life' campaign, Hansen, as soon as he heard about the event he wanted to get involved. Due to his involvement in rugby he's heard many a horror story around spinal injury and is passionate about the charity.
So I'm just an ambassador for Red Bull and a couple of the guys at Red Bull came to me with this idea of this plan they had for this 'Wings For Life'. And once I heard what it was for and what type of activity it was I just thought it was great."
I know a lot of people have spinal injuries playing in rugby, playing in any sport in general there tends to be lot. Yeah it's just a good way to get involved in a cool charity."
The Wings For Life World Run starts simultaneously around the world at 11.00am UTC / 12.00pm Irish time on Sunday, May 5th, 2024. You can play your part in making this year’s event the biggest yet, by registering via www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com.
