Mack Hansen always wore headgear playing rugby as a junior, in the mould of his idol Stephen Larkham.
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Next Saturday he has the chance to emulate his hero and win a Super Rugby title with the Brumbies - 16 years after Larkham helped the side to its last crown.
Local boy Hansen, who has signed on for another season with the Brumbies, was six years old when Larkham and co lifted that coveted Super Rugby title. Too young to have a coherent memory of the occasion, he is reminded of it every day.
"We've got a lot of photos of those guys hanging up around the team room and holding that trophy so it just adds a lot of motivation to get the job done," Hansen said.
"Grand finals don't come around too often so to have one in the next two weeks it's really special."
Hansen signed for the Brumbies in Larkham's last year as coach, and was able to work with his idol for a short stint as he looked to establish himself as a key outside back.
"I was a big fan of Bernie growing up just because he was a bit lanky, wore headgear...he was a great one to look up to, the type of footy he played was amazing," Hansen said.
"I was lucky enough to get a year with him here before he went off to the Wallabies. It was a bit weird at first, I didn't really know how to approach him.
"Being a kid asking for his autograph all the time and now he's coached me. I didn't really know how to take it at first, I was a bit younger."
Now Hansen is desperate to be a part of the next championship photograph to hang in the team room.
The Brumbies will host either the Queensland Reds, or Melbourne Rebels at Canberra Stadium next Saturday for a shot at the maiden Super Rugby AU title.
Coach Dan McKellar is expected to give his troops this weekend off, before ramping up preparations for the final on Monday.
"We've just got to keep doing what we've been doing well, stick to the basics, we don't really have to change too much," Hansen said.
"We haven't been playing our greatest footy but if we just keep simplifying our game, we'll be sweet. We'll be pretty hard to beat down here. Everyone will feel great if we can lift that trophy."
James Buckley
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
