Ireland rugby star Mack Hansen has been cleared to play in their Six Nations opener against England next month despite a ban for abusive comments about match officials after a recent match for Connacht.
The Aussie-born flyer received a six-week suspension, but three were suspended until the end of the season. He will serve the three-week stand down in Connacht’s next three matches – all before the first match of the Six Nations on February 2 AEDT.
Hansen has apologised for his comments aimed at officials – while sports website The 42 reports that the referee of the game in question, Chris Busby, has decided to retire largely due to the abuse the former Brumby delivered in a post-match press conference.
There was some backlash against the length of the Hansen ban, with commenters bemused he was heavily dealt with for speaking his mind.
Former Ireland fullback Rob Kearney told the Sun the ban was too harsh.
“A three-match ban is not a slap on the wrist. You cannot completely put a muzzle on players and just not allow them to voice their opinions because they are a key part of the game,” said Kearney.
“Without players there is no game. But I do think players have a responsibility to protect the game and to ensure that there is a game in five, ten, 15 years time.
“We cannot get to a point where every post match interview is a player giving out about the officials because if that is the case we won’t have officials and if we don’t have officials.
“The quality of referees and officiating in world rugby needs to get better.
“But if we start discouraging people from wanting to become referees then that issue is only going to get bigger. There are arguments for and against both sides.”
Irish Independent rugby writer Rúaidhrí O’Connor said the decision sent a clear message to players: “Back in your box, your opinions andpersonality are not welcome. Continue to toe the line with banality, because if you dare to step out of line we’ll come down on you like a tonne of bricks.”
Ex-England prop Joe Marler was more succinct.
Hansen’s sustained rant followed a high hit from All Black Jordie Barrett on Hansen’s Test teammate Bundee Aki as Barrett’s Leinster beat Connacht 20-12 recently.
Barrett escaped sanction for a tackle that Hansen felt was illegal, and the Test winger let his feelings be known in an astonishing post-match press conference, where he claimed his team was consistently on the wrong side of officials.
“Bundee gets a direct hit to the head [from Jordie Barrett], it’s quite obvious, no call,” Hansen said.
“It’s like we get that every time, so you can hear the frustration in my voice ‘cos it’s starting to get to the point where honestly, it’s bullshit and it’s starting to get really frustrating for us ‘cos people will say we are an inconsistent team, but Jesus Christ, when you are getting some of the calls we’re getting like, of course, you are going to be [frustrated].
“I’m not making excuses by any means but like, when you just get it week after week, I feel it’s got to be spoken about. Because it’s just getting to the point where it’s starting to really piss us off because we just feel we’re getting played out of games and we never ever get any calls.”
As well as the Barrett incident, Hansen pointed to a moment where his teammate Josh Ioane was forced off for a HIA but there was no sanction.
“Josh goes off with a direct hit to the head again and I was talking to the touchie and he goes, ‘oh, when you tackle you lead with the head’,” said Hansen.
“That doesn’t make any sense, that’s a penalty regardless. He’s actually said he’s hit him in the head with his head but because he was bent over it was fine or something like that. When he’s smacked him in the back of the head with his head and no call at all, not even a look back. We get that every time so … he’ll be in a tough situation if he said it. It just needs to be said. It’s really f–king starting to get to us as a team.”
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After the punishment was handed down Hansen said in a statement: “People know I always wear my heart on my sleeve. However, after the Leinster game, on this occasion, I let my emotions get the better of me.
“Upon reflection, my comments to the media were ill-advised, and fell far short of the standards I expect of myself, and what the sport expects of its players.
“I want to offer an apology to the match officials for any distress my comments may have caused. Our games are built on mutual respect and I didn’t show that after the game.
“I also want to apologise to the URC, and I fully accept the findings of the independent disciplinary panel.
“I love Connacht, and I love rugby. Moving forward, I will channel all my energy and passion into representing my province and country to the absolute best of my ability – both on and off the field.”
The 42 reported that Irish referee Busby will retire despite being listed as an assistant referee for two Six Nations matches in the coming months.
Busby turned professional in 2021 and took charge of South Africa’s game against Wales in November and he was also an assistant referee at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Hansen’s comments were described as the tipping point behind Busby’s decision, which The 42 said was largely down to personal reasons.
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