Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins has explained that the re-education process plan for Mack Hansen is still a work in progress and that more will be known after the Six Nations
Connacht star Hansen received a six-game ban, with three games suspended, for comments made after Connacht's defeat to Leinster on December 22.
In the post-match press conference, Hansen said, “To be honest, it felt like we were getting reffed out of the game for the first 40 minutes, pretty much,” adding, “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 because it’s starting to get to the point where, honestly, it’s bull***t, and it’s starting to get really frustrating for us.”
Following a disciplinary hearing this month, Hansen was handed a six-game ban, with three games suspended, ensuring his availability for Ireland's Six Nations campaign, which begins on February 1. The Ireland star will miss Connacht’s Challenge Cup matches against Lyon and Cardiff, as well as a URC game against Glasgow.
Hansen has also been asked to complete a course on match officiating and share what he learns with his Connacht teammates.
Meanwhile, the team has been instructed to hold a session with players to improve their approach to post-match media interviews and interactions.
Connacht’s Mack Hansen shoots from the lip when coach Pete Wilkins is asked about some of the officiating decisions in their loss to Leinster
“We never get any calls, ever … it’s bullshit and it’s starting to get really frustrating”
Story to come on @ExaminerSport pic.twitter.com/MnAWu3PbNU
— Brendan O'Brien (@byBrendanOBrien) December 21, 2024
Speaking in a press conference today to RTE Sport, Wilkins explained that the province is in the process of figuring out the details of the educational requirements and plans to address them once Hansen returns from Six Nations duty.
“It’s a work in progress at this stage,” Wilkins said. “The URC has sent through some suggestions as to what that education piece might look like.
“That’s being handled by the club, and obviously Mack’s now away in camp, so he won’t be able to finish all of that immediately. There’ll be bits of it that he can do while he’s away and bits that may have to wait until he gets back.
“They’re still finalising exactly what that education piece looks like, and then we’ll be able to put a plan in place for when he can complete it.”
Hansen, known as a maverick in rugby circles, is not one to mince his words, as evidenced by his comments after the Leinster game. It’s expected that he will tone things down when it comes to his media comments, but Wilkins insists this won’t change Hansen’s personality.
“Mack will still be Mack following his re-education,” added Wilkins. “Oh, yeah, 100%, yeah. Just a little wiser, I’d say.”
Connacht plays Glasgow Warriors on Friday.
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