Fans and pundits divided over Mack Hansen’s sensational ref criticism

"Fair play to Mack Hansen for putting his hand up to make this point! Have a listen. He's right too."

He is known for speaking his mind more so than most of the robot-like, media-trained professional rugby players we are used to. Still, however, most were quite shocked at Mack Hansen's outburst following Connacht's loss to Leinster on Saturday.

The Ireland winger was clearly at his wits end with what he feels is consistently unfair refereeing against Connacht, calling it "bullshit" and saying that "It’s really fucking starting to get to us as a team."

He singled out an incident with an illegal hit on Gus McCarthy, which was reviewed multiple times by referee Chris Busby and his TMO, and compared it to a shoulder-to-head clear out from Jordie Barrett on Bundee Aki, which was not reviewed.

You can read the entire interview here.

Hansen's actions have divided players, pundits, and fans.

Many have praised the 26-year-old, who feel that drastic actions must be taken if the standard of professional refereeing is to improve.

Ireland women's international Anna Caplice was in full support of the player.

She wrote on 'X': "Fair play to Mack Hansen for putting his hand up to make this point! Have a listen. He's right too."

Ex-Munster and Ireland back row Alan Quinlan praised Hansen for his honesty on Off the Ball.

In contrast, former Ireland international Tony Ward was highly critical of Hansen in his column for the Irish Independent.

He said: "Mack Hansen is out of order with his criticism of referee, which is against the ethos of the game."

South African journalist Jared Wright agreed with Ward. He wrote: "Seen far too many sympathetic replies and comments to this. It would be a serious failure from the URC not to punish Hansen here.

"He reacted this way out of his own, no question posed to him. Far too much ref bashing going unpunished nowadays - warranted or not."

It is highly likely that Hansen will see a fine of some sort, and potentially a ban, with the protection of referees a priority for the URC.

However, given the coverage that Hansen has brought on the issue, the URC could take measures to review the standard of refereeing in the league.

Refreshing to see a player be so honest about the shocking standard of refereeing in games. Well done Mack Hansen 👏🏼

— Let’s Talk Rugby (@HeTalksRugby) December 22, 2024

That's bad. Mack Hansen's frustration is justified regarding that incident. I've seen reds for far less.

— Jimmy Dox (@JimmyDox2) December 22, 2024