CONNACHT PUT MACK HANSEN OUTBURST ‘TO BED’ AFTER IRELAND WINGER’S BAN

Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins feels both the club and Mack Hansen have ‘full acceptance’ of the punishment handed to the Ireland winger after his criticism of the referee following his side’s United Rugby Championship (URC) defeat to Leinster.

The Ireland international copped a six-game ban – three of which have been suspended – following his public outburst in a post-game press conference.

He will now miss both of Connacht’s upcoming Challenge Cup games against Lyon and Cardiff, as well as their final URC match before the Six Nations when they face Glasgow Warriors.

Hansen will be available for the Championship though, which start later this month.

“It’s important that it has been put to bed”

Following Connacht’s defeat to Leinster, he lashed out at the officials with some very strong comments, saying at the time: “I feel like we get this every week. We never get any calls, ever. I’ve been feeling this for years now,” Hansen told reporters in a press conference after the match.

“You can’t possibly tell me yourselves sitting there, like checking the Gus McCarthy one, how much? How much did they check that, 10, 11 times? Bundee gets a direct hit to the head, it’s quite obvious, no call, doesn’t care.

“It’s like we get that every time so you can hear the frustration in my voice ’cause it’s starting to get to the point where, honestly, it’s bull***t and it’s starting to get really frustrating for us ‘cause people will say we are an inconsistent team but when you are getting some of the calls we’re getting like, of course, you are going to be.”

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But, with the punishment now handed down to him, boss Wilkins feels it has been ‘put to bed’ and that it is time to move on from the incident.

“I think it’s important that it has been put to bed for all sorts of reasons,” Wilkins told reporters ahead of their game with Lyon.

“As a club and Mack himself, there is full acceptance of the verdict. It’s now a matter of moving on.”

“There’s been so much media coverage of it, and we just have to move on now. Mack has got the certainty in his mind and from the referees and URC side, they’ve got a black-and-white resolution.”

He added: “I think it’s a reminder of our responsibilities and Mack certainly accepted that in his apology statement. His remorse probably reflects that he understands that.”

Whilst Hansen, and Connacht for that matter, are fully accepting of the verdict passed, the effects are still lingering on. The referee at the heart of it, Chris Busby, has now stepped away from professional refereeing.

READ MORE: Mack Hansen’s outburst the ‘tipping point’ as officials bemoan lack of ‘support and respect’ with Irish referee pushed to shock retirement call

2025-01-10T15:53:39Z