Mack Hansen: IRFU's 'genius' contract system keeps top players in Ireland

Apr 19, 2024 09:25

Mack Hansen insists the IRFU's central contract system is "genius" - even if he's not on one.

There have been grumblings over the fact that from next season, Leinster will have 10 players centrally contracted while Connacht will have two, Ulster one and Munster one.

It means that the high-flying Blues have more money freed up to sign the likes of All Blacks star Jordie Barrett on a short term deal next season, and his Hurricanes colleague Tyler Bleyendaal as their next attack coach.

There have been grumblings over the fact that from next season, Leinster will have 10 players centrally contracted while Connacht will have two, Ulster one and Munster one.

Connacht winger Hansen is an important player for Andy Farrell's Ireland but is not on a lucrative central contract. Bundee Aki and Finlay Blealham, his team-mates in Galway, are.

Hansen said: “It’s easy to complain about, but which one of the guys that are on central contracts would you take off? I wouldn’t take any of them off.

"Everyone who has them has earned them and deserves them. Every team would want to have more of those guys spread out but that’s just the way it is.

"They’ve all come through there and they all deserve them so there’s nothing else you can really do about it."

The system is strengthening Leinster's hand over the other provinces but Hansen is adamant that the structure is helping Ireland to be right up there among the world's top Test sides.

He points to the contract structure and tax-free benefits that keep the best Irish players from wanting to move abroad.

"It's really smart, the way they’ve nailed it," he said.

"You look at the way that clubs do it in Australia, Rugby Australia kind of tops them up but it doesn’t really give them as much of an incentive, especially with the tax back and stuff here in Ireland as well.

Connacht's Mack Hansen, Munster's John Ryan and Leinster's Jamison-Gibson-Park were among the players announcing Bank of Ireland's new five-year extensions of its sponsorships of the four Irish rugby provinces, reaffirming its long-standing commitment to the game across all levels in Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster. The new agreements, all to run until 2028, represent the most comprehensive sponsorship of men’s and women’s sport in Ireland. They see Bank of Ireland broaden its support from the grassroots, schools and clubs right up to the Provincial and Ireland men’s and women’s teams.
(Image: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan)

"The system is just the best I’ve seen for sure at keeping players like this. So many guys stay because it just makes more sense.

"That’s the only way Irish rugby is going to get stronger and stronger, if you keep going. I don’t have a problem with the way anything is set up.

"I think it’s actually set up in a genius way."

So does he think he'll be getting one of the golden ticket contracts next time around?

“I wish," smiled the easy-going 26-year-old. "I don’t know if there's any going for any wingers. We’ll wait and see."

Hansen trained with Connacht yesterday for the first time since dislocating his shoulder against Munster on New Year's Day.

He says he is on course for a return in the coming weeks but claims there is no guarantee he will be picked to play against South Africa on Ireland's summer tour.

"It's good to be back in with the lads. I'm tired of just doing the same s*** all day," he admitted.

It would be a massive surprise if Hansen wasn't drafted straight back into the Ireland squad - and into the line-up - for the two-Test tour of South Africa.

That Ireland won the championship without him clouds the waters a little, he feels.

“I just want to get back and play for Connacht, play well, make finals and then if I’m doing well in that I’ll make it into the squad," Hansen said.

"Going there, I know I’m not just going to be walking back into the team. There are so many wingers that are playing really good footy at the moment.

"First focus for sure is getting back for Connacht, play well, make finals, win the URC and go from there.

"Yeah, it’s on my mind but the URC is definitely at the front of it.”

Nevertheless the prospect of taking on the world champions excites him.

"Absolutely," Hansen said. "It's just another chance for us to go over there and do something no Irish team has done before, win two Tests over there.

"Nobody really gave us a chance in New Zealand and we went over there and won a Test series. That's what we're going to be doing here.

"It's good because they're the world's best team, they proved it by winning the World Cup, and you watch their (Chasing the Sun) documentary, you see how much goes into it.

"They're probably up there with the best teams of all time.

"So to go over there and try to knock them off is our sole focus, and it's really exciting to have the chance to do it."

Connacht winger Hansen is an important player for Andy Farrell's Ireland but is not on a lucrative central contract. Bundee Aki and Finlay Bealham, his team-mates in Galway, are.