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9th January 2025
10:36am GMT
Connacht and Ireland winger Mack Hansen has been suspended for three games after comments made following his side's URC loss to Leinster last month.
Hansen went on a sensational tirade, blasting refereeing decisions against his side both in the Leinster game and throughout the season.
He specifically referenced an incident which saw a tackle from teammate Josh Ioane on Leinster's Gus McCarthy looked at extensively by referee Chris Busby, before resulting in a penalty.
Hansen compared this to a incident at a ruck where Jordie Barrett made contact with the head of Bundee Aki, which saw no stoppage or sanction.
Sitting alongside head coach Pete Wilkins after the game, Hansen said: "Two headshots against us but the crowd hasn’t reacted so you haven’t gone and looked at the TMO, yes? But the crowd has reacted, and you have gone to TMO. Just keep that in mind."
He added: "Can I say something real quick about the situation.
"Like, I feel like we get this every week. We never get any calls, ever. I’ve been feeling this for years now.
"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 bull***t 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.
"We get that every time so…[Pete] will be in a tough situation if he said it. It just needs to be said. It’s really f*****g starting to get to us as a team."
Wilkins admitted that he had no idea Hansen was going to take such a stance, saying: "No. It was a normal press conference walking into it. I'd come straight from a radio interview, I think. So, no awareness that was on the cards. But the hearing is tomorrow, so it'd be great to put things to bed after that."
Thankfully for Ireland, the 26-year-old will be available for the start of the Six Nations.
Connacht have also to pay a €10,000 fine and Hansen must apologise to Busby.
Hansen's teammates have been roped into proceeding and have been ordered to also undergo 'educate themselves'.
A statement from the URC says: "1. The Player must make a full apology to the Match Official (Chris Busby, IRFU) in charge of refereeing the Leinster v Connacht fixture
"2. The Player must undertake an appropriate course (related to match officiating) as decided by Tappe Henning (URC Head of Match Officials) and Dudley Phillips (IRFU Head of Referees) with the learnings to be disseminated with his team-mates at Connacht Rugby
"3. Connacht Rugby must run an education session with their players about how to conduct themselves in post-match media sessions and interactions with the media."
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