HEAD COACH PETE Wilkins says Connacht fans should not be concerned that Mack Hansen’s future has not been nailed down at Dexcom Stadium in Galway beyond next summer.
Connacht moved quickly to extend Hansen’s initial contract when he became an instant hit after signing for two years at the outset of the 2021-22 season.
The 26-year old Canberra native made his Irish debut against Wales six months after his Connacht debut and was only halfway through his contract by the end of that season when he signed a three-year extension.
That contract runs out next summer but while an extension has not been announced for Hansen, who took his Irish try haul to 13 in 26 internationals against Fiji on Saturday, the Connacht boss said fans have no need to be concerned.
“No. No reason to be worried at all,” said Wilkins, who last month said he was confident Irish centre Bundee Aki would also remain in Galway despite apparent interest from Toulon.
“I think, you know, again, a bit like the Bundee one. You know Mack is settled and they’re so important to us, the couple of guys we’re talking about there, the club would make sure we do everything possible to keep them here as long as possible.
“Mack seems pretty happy to me, and and I think, Galway loves him as much as he loves Galway. So I hope that continues.”
Wilkins, who is preparing his side for the resumption of the URC when they host the Bulls on Saturday, said there were no developments in Aki’s future. His contract expires next summer but there is a plus-one year option there.
“No news from my end, and the IRFU with their plus-one clause and there’s no change in that, I suppose, from what we said a month ago,” added Wilkins.
“And without seeing Bundee face to face, he seems pretty happy at the moment and he is focused on the Irish job.”
Zebo scored 9 tries in 35 matches for Ireland, while Mack Hansen has managed 13 in 26. Even as posters above argue he has been “poor”, he still averaged a try a match this autumn. I don’t anticipate he will get a central contract, but considering the IRFU forked out big money to top up the salary of an overweight and disinterested Zebo on his return to Ireland, Hansen should definitely expect an IRFU top up of his Connacht contract.
@JoeVlogs: Zebo would have thrived under current conditions, Mack wouldn’t have been picked by Schmidt. Apples and Oranges
@Fionn Bohane: when Zebo came back with a big payday, Farrell was coach, and brought him into the wider squad, but never played him. He had a chance to “thrive in the current conditions” but didn’t make the cut.
@JoeVlogs: over weight ? Jaysus you really are a c nt
@Comeonyouknow: I’m sorry, but he certainly was. That’s not even debatable. Had all the talent in the world, but didn’t put in the grind, and somehow thought rules would be bent when he chased the money in France. When they weren’t, he whinged perpetually against Schmidt, yet when he returned to Ireland, ostensibly to reignite his international career, he managed one training camp and that was it. But at least he gets a nice paycheck from Boyle sports #whenthefunstopsstop
@JoeVlogs: He was not likely to be picked given his age and injuries. It happens. No question that he was electric for Munster on his return.
@JoeVlogs: why wouldent get a central comtract he is world class
@JoeVlogs: He was past it at that stage, we missed out on “peak Zebo”
IRFU will offer him a central contract on the condition that he moves to leinster a la robbie henshaw
@Niall English: Not going to happen but dream on
@Niall English: is that the best you can do.
@Niall English: why ? Leinster have plenty of wingers. Hanson ,like Bundee, is a star and a big draw for us
@Oliver Curley: it’s only Munster supporters like Niall English who are trying to stir the pot. No chance he is going to Leinster, they seem pretty confident already he is staying in Connacht.
@Niall English: poor Niall. Paranoid a bit ?
@Niall English: not even a snowballs chance in hell, he’s seen what the move to Leinster did physically to Henshaw, by using him as a battering ram replacement for Ben T’eo at 12 until he broke, and then has kept on breaking down every few games. Lad hasn’t even made 100 appearances for Leinster in nine seasons, only played 3 more games in URC than during his 3 full contract seasons at Connacht…. :-D
@Niall English: Ah nope
He’s been very poor for ireland this season, nash can feel very hard done by
@Cian Halley: Poor, but managed three tries…
@JoeVlogs: If Cian Healy was on the wing he’d have scored them ….. fell over the line!
@Cian Halley: tbf it takes a lot of time for players to come back from injury, but I do think Nash can feel aggrieved at AF not giving him a run out in the test series.
@Cian Halley: Still a world class player nash aint
@Cian Halley: this season? He’s only back from injury and played two games. Both games where the whole squad under performed. Are we writing his obituary already? If I didn’t know any better i would say this is another Ray Ridge account
Surely Hansen will get a central contract or do Connacht not available of that perk as much as other provinces. He’s an integral part of the Irish team
@anthony davoren: some one talking sense
@anthony davoren: But if dont beat australia by 14 points scotland are better than us and australia also but should move up passed italy
@Shanie: Scotland are already far better than us and we need a miracle to beat them in the six nations. We are a shambles of a team and have been for some time. We will be fighting off the wooden spoon alongside Wales and Italy.
@anthony davoren: Yes and only beat new zealand 2 out off 3 times in the series only drew with springbox in the series only won one grand slam under farrell lost to england in their own backyard lost to new zealand at home shocking shocking AF is a spoffer