Hansen the hero as Ireland romp to big win over Australia

DUBLIN :Fullback Mack Hansen scored a hat-trick of tries in the first half to set Ireland on their way to a convincing 46-19 victory over beleaguered Australia in their Autumn international on Saturday.

It was a second win for Ireland in the November series after last week’s triumph over Japan, while the Wallabies have now lost three in a row after being beaten by England and Italy.

The 27-year-old Hansen, who moved from Australia where he played for the ACT Brumbies to compete for Ireland for whom he qualifies through his Cork-born mother, crossed the line three times in the opening 28 minutes at a rainy Dublin Arena.

Captain Caelen Doris, Ryan Baird and Robbie Henshaw scored Ireland's other tries while Sam Prendergast kicked a drop goal and two conversions, and his replacement Jack Crowley added a penalty and three conversions.

Australia scored two first-half tries through Len Ikitau and Fraser McReight and a late consolation from Billy Pollard. James O'Connor kicked two conversions.

Ireland burst into a sixth-minute lead as Hansen darted between the posts at the end of a quick tap that caught the Wallabies napping.

The second try five minutes later was almost a carbon copy of the first, with Stuart McCloskey bringing Ireland to within a metre out with a hard carry off the scrum, before a wide pass to Robbie Henshaw was pulled back for Prendergast to send Hansen straight through a gap under the posts.

Australia’s first try came in the 17th minute off a lineout maul, with Ikitau powering over, but Hansen, playing at fullback for Ireland for the first time, completed his hat-trick after Prendergast’s crossfield kick found Tommy O'Brien, and although he was tackled, the ball spilt for Hansen to burst over.

"That is the pleasure