'He's not going to get rattled by mistakes': Unheralded 22-year-old match winner praised by Brumbies

Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa never doubted unheralded youngster Mack Hansen would nail a match-winning penalty to sink Queensland.

The 22-year-old might have missed a regulation penalty less than 10 minutes earlier at GIO Stadium on Saturday, but he stepped up to make an even harder kick after the siren.

About 40m out, Hansen’s kick never looked like missing to lift the Brumbies to a 22-20 win and ensure they remain undefeated this Super Rugby AU season.

Brumbies coach Dan McKellar interview – Reds Round Five

Brumbies coach Dan McKellar interview – Reds Round Five

Allalatoa had full trust in the bench player taking the vital kick, with the Brumbies reeling in a six-point deficit with six minutes to play.

“We continued to play our footy and then the penalty came and he just pointed out the sticks,” the star prop said.

“As a player he’s come a long way this year. For him to have the confidence there to step up and win the game says a lot about himself.”

Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said he was proud that the five-gamer backed himself in.

“He’s (Hansen) a Canberra boy who’s been supporting the Brumbies since he was a toddler,” McKellar said. “For him to step up with confidence and kick a clutch penalty goal was brilliant so really proud of him.

“He’s not going to get rattled by mistakes. He’s a kid who will back his skill and ability.

The Brumbies leave it late #BRUvRED pic.twitter.com/7qXf7yR64t

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 1, 2020

“He’ll make a mistake or two here and there, that’s him as a footballer, but he backs himself. The pros far outweigh the cons with him.”

The result lifts the Brumbies a game-and-a-half clear on top of the ladder, with the Reds left shattered about blowing an opportunity to win their first game in Canberra since 2014.

Fulltime
BRUMBIES 22 (Folau Fainga’a 2, Connal McInerney tries Bayley Kuenzle 2 cons Mack Hansen pen) bt QUEENSLAND REDS 20 (Angus Scott-Young, Harry Wilson tries James O’Connor 2 cons 2 pens) at GIO Stadium. Referee: Nic Berry.
AAP