Mack Hansen laughs his teammates wasted little time in bringing him back down to earth in the wake of his match-winning heroics.
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Now the challenge is keeping them planted as he sets his sights on a battle with a childhood hero in Matt To'omua and his band of Super Rugby AU title contenders.
But there is little reason to doubt the ACT Brumbies youngster ahead of a clash with the Melbourne Rebels at Leichhardt Oval on Friday night.
Because whether coach Dan McKellar injects him into the action at flyhalf, fullback or the wing, Hansen is determined to make the most of a golden opportunity to establish himself at the level he always dreamed of as a kid.
"Bernie [Stephen Larkham] was always my favourite growing up. I was a bit similar, I had the headgear and I was a lanky kid growing up. He was someone I definitely looked up to in the early days," Hansen sad.
MORE RUGBY UNION
"Growing up a bit later, watching To'omua and Christian [Lealiifano] play, it started to be them. To now be playing against them and with them, it's still pretty crazy to me.
"I'm still pretty stunned from it. It's still hard to believe, but now I am completely focused on the Rebels and what they're going to bring this week.
"The guys brought me back down pretty quick. I understood it was a great moment but now it's on to a different week, so you kind of forget what happened on the weekend and keep moving forward.
"Getting a bit more time and knowing the speed of Super Rugby is a big step up from where I have been at club level.
"The more games I'm playing, the more I'm picking up. It's helping me grow as a player."
SUPER RUGBY AU ROUND SIX
Friday: Melbourne Rebels v ACT Brumbies at Leichhardt Oval, 7.05pm.
Caden Helmers
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
