Irish rugby star Mack Hansen was awarded the man of the match award but apologized after dropping an ‘F-bomb’ in a live TV interview.
The Australian-born wing scored two tries in Ireland’s 34-20 Six Nations victory over Italy in Rome and was interviewed after praising his player of the day.
Asked live about Ireland’s next assignment against Scotland in Edinburgh, Hansen said he’s keeping his fingers crossed that he can make the team for Murrayfield. Then he nearly knocked over the mic stand.
“Oh, f…!” he said, trying to catch it.
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“Oh, sorry! Excuse me! Excuse me … sorry,” Hansen said in the ITV interview, shown in New Zealand on Sky Sport.
The TV interviewer also apologized to viewers for the remorseful Hansen’s earthy outburst.
Screenshot/Sky Sports
Ireland wing Mack Hansen apologized for ‘F-bomb’ in TV interview after Six Nations victory over Italy.
The match commentators also previously issued an apology, when Irish Kiwi center Bundee Aki used the same expletive as Hansen while berating himself for conceding a penalty in the second half.
After saying the F-word, Aki said, “Stupid, Bundee…”
His comments were picked up by referee Mike Adamson’s microphone, leading Nick Mullins, the caller of the ITV match, to apologize to viewers.
Co-commentator David Flatman, a former England gag, also said, “I’m glad Bundee said it himself because obviously I wasn’t going to say it about him! He’s frustrated with himself.”
Aki, who scored a try, was disallowed again for a knock-on on the goal line, got an assist in the first half and then threw a no-look pass for a try to Italy on the stroke of half-time, was a central figure in the match. game.
He missed a couple of tackles and conceded a crucial penalty, but kept on pushing.
Andrew Medichini/AP
Ireland’s Bundee Aki eludes Italy’s Stephen Varney before scoring his side’s third try in Rome.
But he was candid about his own performance in a TV interview after the game.
“I certainly didn’t help the side there towards the end,” he told ITV. “Fair play for Italy, they gave it to us. Fair play for our guys to dig deep too…
“I think our overall performance [must improve]. Certainly on the discipline front, that’s a big thing we talk about all week.
“I can definitely say that I was someone who was not disciplined.”
Aki, 32, made his first start in the Six Nations series after coming off the bench in previous wins over Wales and France.