'The play of the day was Mack Hansen' - Andy Farrell praises Ireland winger as he sweats on Tomos Williams' hamstring
Farrell singles out Ireland star after thumping win against Western Force
Andy Farrell was satisfied with his Lions' team's first outing on Australian soil as they ran in eight tries in a 54-7 win over Western Force in Perth.
And while there were show-stopping moments from Henry Pollock, James Lowe and Joe McCarthy, two tries a piece from Tomos Williams and Elliot Daly, physicality in defence from Garry Ringrose and relentlessness from Josh van der Flier, it was one piece of work rate from Mack Hansen that pleased the coach the most.
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Irish Times
2 hours ago
- Irish Times
Gerry Thornley: Mack Hansen showed exactly why Andy Farrell made him a Lions player
On the hour mark, Josh van der Flier picked up from a Lions ruck just inside the Western Force half, saw daylight and broke clear. As Henry Pollock steamed up on his inside, another opportunist long-range Lions try seemed on. But Van der Flier's attempted offload inside the Force 22 plopped into the hands of the home fullback Ben Donaldson and he broke up field, with everyone else running in the opposite direction. A try at the other end suddenly seemed likely as Donaldson ran to the Lions' 10-metre line and kicked ahead. Mack Hansen was the eighth-most advanced Lions player in attack but he turned and saw the danger before gobbling up the ground as others appeared to be jogging on the spot in quickly covering back 50 metres. Hansen dived on to the loose ball, bounced to his feet, fended a tackle and offloaded to Huw Jones. Hansen's work was only beginning. He back-pedalled to his position on the right wing and just seven seconds later received a pass from Dan Sheehan . Hansen kicked downfield and chased from his own 22 to the Force 22 and tackled Max Burey, whose pass infield was dropped by Henry Robertson. Okay, that was an added bonus, but Hansen's work-rate had effectively earned two turnovers and a net gain of 60 metres. READ MORE In the coaches' box, Andy Farrell had cursed in frustration and put his hands on his head when the Lions had initially turned the ball over, but when the cameras panned back after Hansen's cameo, the head coach was unusually animated in roaring approvingly and happily punching the air with both fists. Alongside Farrell, video analyst Vinny Hammond and Simon Easterby joined in the applause and smiled. Mack Hansen after the victory over the Western Force in Perth. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho Hansen wasn't perfect, and knocked on soon afterwards, to be left shaking his head – not for the first time. But it was no surprise that Farrell singled out those moments immediately afterwards. 'This was a lot of the lads' first game, so we're up and running and we'll keep pushing it forward. There were some fantastic tries, but the play of the day was Mack Hansen going up and down the field,' said the coach approvingly. It will also be no surprise therefore, if Farrell also singles out Hansen's work-rate on the hour mark when the Lions conduct their review as an example to all. Hansen is an intelligent, skilful rugby player who is deceptively athletic and bravely looks to influence matches. And the coach knows that if he has 15 players willing to stay alert and be involved at all times, and also possess the honesty of effort which Hansen showed in those moments, his team has every chance of beating their opponents. In keeping with someone who started his coaching journey overseeing defence, Farrell's teams pride themselves on that side of the game and to that end, work-rate when the opposition have the ball is key. For the Lions to restrict the Force to just one try from eight visits to the 22 will have pleased Farrell no end. But as important is work-rate in possession as well and it was striking how often the Lions scored tries through players making a second touch in the move. Sheehan's touchdown after he palmed Finn Russell's crosskick inside to James Lowe and withstood the tackle of Dylan Pietsch to then take the return offload just 95 seconds into the game was the quickest Lions try ever. Henry Pollock breaks clear to set up the Lions' second try, scored by Tomos Williams, during the tour match against Western Force. Photograph:) It was also Pollock's second touch after taking a return offload from Van der Flier which led to him setting up Tomos Williams's first try. Likewise, after Hansen sent Lowe clear early in the second half, both Lowe and Williams had two touches apiece before the latter scored his second. Garry Ringrose constantly worked on and off the ball for his try. Alex Mitchell had started the last phase of the game before finishing their eighth try in overtime with his second touch. Indeed, Hansen's lung-bursting contribution on the hour inspired him into producing some of his best rugby of the match. Nearing the 80-minute mark, it was Hansen's intercept which ended the Force's final attack of the match, before he offloaded to Marcus Smith. Hansen then stepped in at scrumhalf from the ensuing recycle and passed to Pollock. Another phase later and when Elliot Daly's skip-passed him to hit Sione Tuipulotu, it was Hansen who supported on his centre's inside to take the pass, break clear, draw the last man and put Mitchell over. His third touch. In moments like those, Hansen demonstrates the kind of playmaking, footballing ability which can also make his position on the wing somewhat notional. Hansen's tattoo of Farrell on his leg is further evidence that he is as daft as a brush, but it also demonstrates the bond between the two. When Farrell wasted little time in bringing Hansen into the Irish squad following his arrival at Connacht in 2021, it raised a few eyebrows. But not the least of Farrell's skills as a coach is his ability to identify an international quality player and back those hunches by swiftly promoting them into the Irish team, other examples being Joe McCarthy and Jamison Gibson-Park . Of course, Hansen's personality and return to the country where he was born and reared would also have earmarked him as 'a good tourist'. He ticks many boxes. He may or may not make the Test 23 but having made a positive impact off the bench against Argentina, he's already dispelled much of the debate about his inclusion in the squad.
The Journal
10 hours ago
- The Journal
Dessie Farrell steps down as Dublin manager after elimination from All-Ireland
The 42 DESSIE FARRELL HAS announced that he is stepping down as manager of the Dublin footballers. Farrell confirmed the news to GAA+ following his side's All-Ireland SFC quarter-final defeat to Tyrone in Croke Park. It's the second second successive season that Dublin have exited the championship at the quarter-final stage. Advertisement He explained that he informed the players in the dressing room after the game and had already told the county board at the start of the year that this would be his last season in charge. BREAKING DESSIE FARRELL STEPS DOWN🚨 Dessie Farrell has just announced he is stepping down as Dublin Manager after today's Quarter-Final defeat to Tyrone. ❌ — GAA+ (@GAAPlusOfficial) June 28, 2025 It's the first time since their Sam Maguire winning season of 2021 that Tyrone have reached the semi-finals. Malachy O'Rourke's team timed their scoring run perfectly to settle a grinding contest pulling clear to win by seven in the end after a late burst of points. Written by Sinead Farrell and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won't find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women's sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here .
The Irish Sun
10 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Dessie Farrell insists Dublin will rise again after stepping down as boss after All-Ireland SFC defeat to Tyrone
DESSIE FARRELL insists the Jacks will be back after quitting as Dublin boss last night. 2 Dessie Farrell insist Dublin will rise again after their All-Ireland exit to Tyrone 2 Dessie Farrell stepped down as Dublin manager after the defeat to Tyrone The Na Fianna clubman spent six seasons in charge. He led them to their sixth All-Ireland in a row in 2020 in his first season at the helm, and landed Sam Maguire again in 2023. But a host of high-profile departures in the likes of Brian Fenton, Jack McCaffrey, Paul Mannion and James McCarthy saw them struggle for form this summer. Their shock Leinster SFC loss to Meath was their first provincial championship defeat since 2010. They failed to top their All-Ireland series group after a round 2 loss to Armagh, before Tyrone ended their campaign at Croke Park last night. read more on gaa And Farrell admits 2025 was always going to be his final farewell after back to back All-Ireland quarter-final defeats - but insists Dublin will rise again. He said: 'I would have informed the County Board at the start of the season that regardless of what happened this would be the last hurrah. 'I've informed the players in the dressing room there as well that I'd be stepping away. I've had a great innings. 'I think it's just come to a natural end. It's easier to say it today than I have to say it next week or in a couple of weeks' time. Most read in GAA Football 'While everyone's bitterly disappointed, sometimes failure is greatness waiting to happen. This could be a big platform for that group going forward. 'A lot of lessons in this season for players and for the group, and I think they'll be better for it and well set up to attack a new season in 2026. 'So much integrity' - RTE viewers hail Stephen Cluxton for 'principled stand' Dublin GAA icon took during Parnells saga 'Some of the new lads we brought in this year, still getting to know them, but a great crop of fellas as well. It augurs very well for Dublin football.' Farrell says 2025 was always going to be a transition year for Dublin after the host of departures. But the 1995 All-Ireland winning hitman loved every second of his time in charge as they won two All-Irelands and five Leinster SFC crowns under his watch. He said: 'I think everyone involved, management, coaches, backroom and players knew that this was going to be a different season. We just embraced that challenge and see where it took us. 'I definitely don't want to make it about me because it's always and always has been about the players. Ultimately, they're the men who step into the arena. 'They're the men in the formative years of their lives who dedicate so much to playing for their county. I have huge admiration and respect for them. 'I think the overriding feeling for me now is that I will miss the people. It's not necessarily the position because some of the relationships are really important to me. 'Some of those lads have been like kids to me, watching them grow up. "They're a special group and I'm very, very grateful for them and for all they've given. They'll drive on and Dublin will be a good place next season and the season after. 'I think between being a player for Dublin underage and as a senior player and then as an underage coach and senior coach, manager, whatever you want to call it, I've got the guts of 40 years. 'It's a long time and it's been a privilege every year, every step of the journey. I've met some great people. I've had a ringside seat for some of the best players that ever performed in the arena out there.'
