DUBLIN :A hat-trick of tries on Saturday against the country of his birth would have settled any doubt about Mack Hansen’s loyalty to Ireland.

Canberra-born Hansen went over for three tries in the first half-hour to set Ireland on their way to a convincing 46-19 victory over the struggling Wallabies as he returned to the team and made a first test start at fullback.

Hansen, returning from a foot injury suffered on club duty last month, said he was determined to impress against Australia after missing out on Ireland’s loss to New Zealand and then the home win over Japan earlier in the month.

“I've had a pretty bang-average run with injuries really," said Hansen. "My whole thing this week was to go out and do what I can do.

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