Hansen stars as Ireland defeat Australia 46-19

Ireland 46-19 Australia, Aviva Stadium

Mack Hansen starred with a hat-trick as Ireland defeated Australia 46-19 in their autumn internationals fixture at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

All three of Hansen's tries came inside the first 30 minutes putting the Wallabies coached by former Ireland boss Joe Schmidt on the backfoot straightaway.

Ireland kick started the proceedings in the 5th minute as Jamison Gibson-Park made a quick pass for Hansen to dive under the posts and Sam Prendergast kicked the conversion to make it 7-0.

The home side doubled their tally in the 10th minute as Prendergast released the ball to Hansen for his second try with the fly-half also kicking the extras before the Wallabies responded back in the 18th minute when Len Ikitau diver over Prendergast for the opening try. James O'Connor kicked the conversion to make it 14-7.

Hansen completed the hat-trick around the half-hour mark as Prendergast and O’Brien combined to send the fullback over the line but the conversion drifted wide as the lead remained at 12 points before the visitors responded back in the 39th minute as Fraser McReight forced his way under the posts with the teams heading into the break with a 19-14 scoreline.

Prendergast with a drop goal in the 55th minute started the proceedings for Ireland in the second half before Jack Crowley who replaced him kicked a penalty goal from the tee in the 61st minute making it 25-14. Any chance of a comeback from Australia was put off with Caelan Doris dotting down in the 69th minute and shortly Nick Frost was yellow carded for a tackle off the ball on Thomas Clarkson.

Despite being a player down, Billy Pollard provided consolation for Australia as he drove from base of a ruck but Ireland dominated the closing stages with back to back tries from Ryan Baird and Robbie Henshaw to complete a 27 point victory.

Team line up:

Ireland XV: Mack Hansen; Tommy O’Brien, Robbie Henshaw, Stuart McCloskey, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park, Paddy McCarthy, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne, Ryan Baird, Caelan Doris, Jack Conan.

Reserves: Rónan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Thomas Clarkson, Nick Timoney, Cian Prendergast, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Bundee Aki.

Australia XV: Max Jorgensen; Filipo Daugunu, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Harry Potter; James O’Connor, Jake Gordon; Angus Bell, Matt Faessler, Allan Alaalatoa; Jeremy Williams, Tom Hoope; Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson.

Reserves: Billy Pollard, Tom Robertson, Zane Nonggorr, Nick Frost, Carlo Tizzano, Ryan Lonergan, Tane Edmed, Andrew Kellaway.