"People here are unbelievably proud of the journey he has taken." Four years after leaving his hometown to move to the other side of the world and join Connacht, Mack Hansen is back in Canberra as a Lion. 🎙️ Murray Kinsella POD: https://t.co/43Hwy110iH https://t.co/QECviotsJk
"People here are unbelievably proud of the journey he has taken." Four years after leaving his hometown to move to the other side of the world and join Connacht, Mack Hansen is back in Canberra as a Lion. 🎙️ @Murray_Kinsella POD: https://t.co/43Hwy10st9 https://t.co/v4lVj749mN
Mack Hansen is back home in Canberra to play against his old team for the Lions. Andy Farrell picked out Hansen's work ethic as the key to his cool journey to this point: https://t.co/ECT6M6Cbh5
Queensland Maroons coach Billy Slater has made a notable selection decision for Game III of the State of Origin series by recalling veteran prop Josh Papalii out of representative retirement. This move, reminiscent of Allan Langer's swansong, has led to the exclusion of an incumbent Maroons enforcer. The Maroons team for the decider has been confirmed, with Slater opting for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow over Reece Walsh, a choice that surprised former player Cooper Cronk but was influenced by the Blues' tactics against Kalyn Ponga in Game II. Rugby league analyst Matty Johns described Papalii's recall as a "masterstroke," and Cronk believes the veteran will inspire the Queensland pack. The series remains highly competitive heading into the final game. Meanwhile, Hudson Young of the NSW Blues expressed anticipation about facing his Raiders teammate Papalii in what is expected to be the Queensland veteran's final Origin appearance. The State of Origin rivalry has a long history, with the Blues having broken a decades-long drought 40 years ago. In related rugby news, Mack Hansen has returned to Canberra to play against his former team for the Lions, with coach Andy Farrell praising Hansen's work ethic and journey. Additionally, former Australian prop Taniela Tupou has acknowledged his decline in form and expressed a desire for one last chance to win a series against the Lions before moving to Racing 92.