'Lets Get Over It' - Mack Hansen Has His Say On Sexton Referee Incident | Balls.ie

Mack Hansen made a recent appearance on The Big Show podcast - hosted by ex-Scotland international Jim Hamilton - where he talked all things Connacht and the story of his career since arriving in Ireland.

Hamilton also touched upon Leinster's gut-wrenching loss to La Rochelle in the Champions Cup final, with Hansen confident that the Ireland players will bounce back for the World Cup, like they did last year in New Zealand.

Much of the controversy surrounding the aftermath of the final stemmed from a half-time incident involving Sean O'Brien and Ronan O'Gara, and Johnny Sexton's actions after the game where he was seen on the pitch making comments towards referee Jaco Peyper and his team of officials.

Hansen was asked about this as well, but was clear in his view that people should move on, and that it was nothing but a heat of the moment incident.

Ye look, I just think it shows how much is means to the guys.

I think it's a bit tough now as you've seen with Jack Nowell getting done for a harmless comment really in the scheme of things.

For some reason we can take all the criticism but the referees are to be left alone.

Was it probably the right time and setting for Johnny to go whatever he did to Peyper? No, but like it happened, lets get over it, it's a bit of footy, it's a bit of passion.

As long as he's not showing up to his house with like a baseball bat, what's the problem?

Mack Hansen Has His Say On Johnny Sexton Controversy

After the whistle went Sexton changes direction to approach the refereeing group. Dicko sees him coming and tries to block him but Johny won't be stopped from having at least a say pic.twitter.com/ij6Sl8J4Fl

— Province Fan (@ProvinceFan) May 29, 2023

While there is footage of the incident between Sexton and Peyper, it is unclear exactly what was said by the Leinster and Ireland outhalf.

South African newspaper Rapport have reported that Sexton went up to the officials and said "you're all a f***ing disgrace", however, this has not been confirmed.

Sexton will also be hoping to avoid a ban with the EPCR looking into the incident:

"EPCR is aware of reports of an incident at half-time during the Heineken Champions Cup final at the Aviva Stadium and the tournament organiser will be investigating this as soon as practicable. We have no further comment at this time."