Mack Hansen's hat trick spurs Ireland to a record 46-19 win over Australia

DUBLIN (AP) — Mack Hansen bagged three tries in the first half-hour Saturday to give Ireland impetus towards a record 46-19 win over Australia which left the Wallabies with only one win from four matches on its Autumn tour.

Starting at fullback for the first time, Canberra-born Hansen scored after only six minutes, again in the 11th and then in the 28th as Ireland opened a 19-7 lead.

Australia claimed tries through center Len Ikitau and backrower Fraser McReight to cut the lead to 19-14 at halftime, a margin which belied Ireland's superiority.

Flyhalf Sam Prendergast kicked a drop goal in the 56th to extend Ireland's lead to eight points.

The drop goal has come back into fashion after England flyhalf George Ford kicked two in a 33-19 win over New Zealand earlier Saturday.

Prendergast's replacement Jack Crowley kicked a penalty in the 61st which stretched Ireland's lead to 25-14.

Then Hansen won Crowley's kick in the air over James O'Connor and carried strongly in an attack which led to a try for captain Caelan Doris.

Australia finished with 14 men after replacement lock Nick Frost received a yellow card for head contact in a tackle, but managed a late try to Billy Pollard, again from strong close-range play.

Ireland closed out the match with tries by Ryan Baird, who ran a good angle close to the line to breach the defense, and Robbie Henshaw, who scored after cross kicks from Crowley and Gibson-Park.

“That's the pleasure of playing in this team. I just had to pick the ball up and literally run over the line,” Hansen said. "I didn't have to do very much because everyone is doing their jobs for me, which makes it easier for me.

“I've had a pretty average run with injuries. I miss being in this team. I wasn't born here and didn't grow up here but this feels like home.”

Hansen's first two tries were almost carbon copies. The first began with a tapped penalty by scrumhalf Jamieson Gibson-Park. After probing the short side, Ireland went wide and quick hands created a gap for Hansen, who scored under the posts.

Hansen's second began when winger James Lowe picked up and drove Australia fullback Max Jorgenson back over his own goalline. From the scrum, Prendergast looped center Henshaw and fired a pass to Hansen who scored under the bar.

The third came when Prendergast cross-kicked for winger Tommy O'Brien, dragging the Australia defense wide. O'Brien spilled the ball backwards and Hansen picked it up and dashed through a gap in the drifting defense to score.

The tries were examples of Ireland's clinical finishing inside Australia's 22: three tries from five visits at that stage of the match.

Australia was less precise inside Ireland's red zone. Two lineout turnovers inside the 22 were costly errors. The Australia backline struggled for combinations in the face of Ireland's rush defense and the Wallabies were pressured by the kicking of Prendergast and Jamieson-Park.

Australia scored twice in the first half from concerted phase play close to Ireland's line, the first from a well-executed lineup. The Wallabies retained possession and Ikitau showed power to take a narrow gap close to the upright.

McReight scored immediately before halftime after 10 phases of determined one-off running.

The first 15 minutes of the second half were inconclusive as both sides made handling errors after a brief period of rain. But Ireland began to build an advantage of possession from which Prendergast's drop goal was the first reward.

Crowley's penalty and Doris's try made Ireland's lead unassailable and after Pollard's try, Baird and Henshaw closed out a dominant performance, giving Ireland its largest-ever win over Australia.

AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

Ireland's Jamison Gibson-Park, center, kicks the ball as Australia's Tom Hooper tries to block it during the rugby union Nations Series match between Ireland and Australia in Dublin, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Australia's Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, left, is tackled by Ireland's Bundee Aki during the rugby union Nations Series match between Ireland and Australia in Dublin, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Australia's Matt Faessler, right, is challenge by Ireland's Dan Sheehan during the rugby union Nations Series match between Ireland and Australia in Dublin, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Australia's Filipo Daugunu kicks the ball during the rugby union Nations Series match between Ireland and Australia in Dublin, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Ireland's Bundee Aki, left, is tackled by Australia's Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii during the rugby union Nations Series match between Ireland and Australia in Dublin, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Ireland's head coach Andy Farrell watches on player warming up for a rugby union Nations Series match between Ireland and Australia in Dublin, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Australia's head coach Joe Schmidt watches on as players warm up for the rugby union Nations Series match between Ireland and Australia in Dublin, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Ireland's Tommy O'Brien, left, scores a try during the rugby union Nations Series match between Ireland and Australia in Dublin, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Australia's Fraser McReight, top, wins a line out during the rugby union Nations Series match between Ireland and Australia in Dublin, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Ireland's Mack Hansen, top right, jumps for the ball during the rugby union Nations Series match between Ireland and Australia in Dublin, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Australia's Len Ikitau, right, reacts after scoring a try during the rugby union Nations Series match between Ireland and Australia in Dublin, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

McLaren driver Lando Norris held his nerve but could not hold back the tears after clinching his first Formula 1 title at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday.

Red Bull driver and defending champion Max Verstappen won the race with Norris placing third behind his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri in second, which allowed Norris to finish two points ahead of Verstappen in the season-long standings.

“It's incredible. It is pretty surreal. I've dreamed of this for a long, long time,” said the 26-year-old Norris, who started his F1 career as a test and reserve driver with McLaren. "I feel like I did my part for the team this year and I'm very proud of myself for that. I’m even more proud for everyone who I hopefully made cry.”

Norris became Britain's 11th F1 champion, a racing journey that began with kart racing when he was eight years old. The first of his 11 F1 race wins came last year, when he finished second overall in the standings.

Piastri was also in contention for his first F1 title and finished third in the standings, 13 points behind Norris, who ended the season with seven wins and 423 points.

Norris became the first British champion since Lewis Hamilton won his record-equaling seventh title in 2020, and also denied Verstappen a fifth straight title.

“Oh God. I’ve not cried in a while. It’s a long journey. First of all, I want to say a big thanks to my guys, my parents," Norris said a few minutes after the race. “I now know what Max feels like a little bit. I want to congratulate him and Oscar, too. It’s been a long year but we did it."

Norris entered the three-way battle 12 points ahead of Verstappen and 16 ahead of Piastri, who also won seven races but none since the Dutch GP on Aug. 31.

Verstappen started from pole position for with Norris on the front row beside him and Piastri third on the grid. Verstappen needed Norris to be fourth or lower and Norris had to finish outside the top five if Piastri won.

Verstappen's astounding late-season charge came close to unseating both McLaren drivers after they had shared the lead throughout the season and then were undone by driver and team-strategy errors.

Verstappen’s title chances were dramatically improved with two races to go after Norris and Piastri were disqualified in Las Vegas.

But even Verstappen's season-leading eighth win and 71st of his career could not stop Norris, who kept his composure on Sunday, having been under severe pressure in recent weeks.

“Oscar and Lando have been awesome all year,” McLaren CEO Zak Brown told broadcaster Sky. “This Max guy is pretty hard to beat.”

The McLaren motorhome erupted with joy when Norris clinched it and Brown congratulated Norris on the team radio in his usual jovial manner.

“Lando, this is Zak from McLaren. Is this the world champion hotline? You did it! You did it! Awesome," Brown said.

Norris didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He did both.

“Oh my God, thanks so much. I love you guys. Thanks for everything,” Norris said and then broke down in tears.

After crossing the line, Norris stayed in his car for a few moments, visibly emotional. His parents were on the side of the track and he went over to hug them before celebrating with his McLaren engineers and mechanics.

Piastri was looking to become the first Australian champion since Alan Jones in 1980, but his failure to win a race after Zandvoort cost him.

Pole position was crucial on the 58-lap circuit in Abu Dhabi, where overtaking is hard, and so it proved again as Verstappen joined the long list of race winners from pole since 2015.

Charles Leclerc finished fourth for Ferrari ahead of George Russell in a Mercedes and Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso in sixth.

Verstappen made a clean start with Piastri overtaking Norris at the end of Lap 1, while the slick Leclerc was soon behind Norris.

Norris was the first of the contenders to change tires when he came in on Lap 17. But he was caught behind some traffic and had Verstappen's Red Bull teammate Yuki Tsunoda ahead of him in third spot, which in turn allowed Leclerc to gain some ground on Norris.

Norris overtook Tsunoda on Lap 23 but went very wide and off track limits but race stewards gave Tsunoda a 5-second time penalty for zig-zagging in front of Norris, who was cleared of wrongdoing.

Tsunoda, who is being replaced at Red Bull next year by Isack Hadjar, reacted angrily when informed he had moved more than once in front of Norris when defending his position.

“This pace is mega,” Ferrari told Leclerc over team radio.

Norris pitted again on Lap 41, with Verstappen overtaking Piastri moments later to move into the lead. Piastri came in a lap later for his one and only change but Norris still held the cards because both McLarens had covered an eventual second tire change for Verstappen.

The main threat for Norris was Leclerc and he was about 4 seconds behind him with 10 laps left.

“Is Charles catching him or not?” Verstappen asked his race engineer.

Leclerc couldn't get closer, meaning Norris could coast to the title barring any mishap or a late safety car.

AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

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Race winner Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands, center, poses on the podium with second placed McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia, left, and third placed McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain after the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain smiles after becoming a world champion after the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain celebrates after becoming a world champion after the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain reacts after becoming a world champion after the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain reacts after becoming a world champion after the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia steers his car during the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain crosses the finish line to become the wprld champion during the Formula One Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (Andrej Isakovic, Pool via AP)

McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain crosses the finish line to become the world champion during the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain celebrates after becomin a rold champion after the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car followed by McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain during the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car followed by McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain during the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia, left, and McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain, center, and Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands attend the drivers parade ahead of the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia watches his team mate Lando Norris of Britain speak to media before the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain, left, and Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands talk before the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)