Mack Hansen says he feels as if he is living in “an alternate universe” on the eve of his first start for the British & Irish Lions in his native Australia. The winger, qualified for Ireland through his Cork-born mother, was a youngster in the crowd when the Lions last toured Australia 12 years ago and cannot wait to line up against one of his old housemates this weekend.
The 27-year-old represented his homeland at under-20 level but says relocating to Europe was “the best decision I ever made”. Nevertheless he has been pinching himself ever since flying in as a member of the 2025 Lions squad. “It feels like I’m properly living the dream,” said Hansen before Saturday morning’s fixture against Western Force, for whom his former Brumbies colleague and good friend Bayley Kuenzle now plays.
