Hansen produces brilliant display as Ireland answer to coach's demand

After last week's underwhelming showing against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell told his Irish team to step up their performance.

The team responded immediately.

Ireland had struggled in the final stages against New Zealand and taken considerable time to get going versus Japan.

Nevertheless, facing Australia, they started powerfully, with Mack Hansen shining brightest during a 46-19 victory that represented Ireland's best display of the season.

In his debut international appearance at full-back, Hansen registered a hat-trick, competed brilliantly for high balls and performed outstandingly against the country of his birth.

"Look, I've had a pretty difficult period with injuries really," the athlete stated.

"I longed for being in this team, I understand there's considerable discussion about me not necessarily being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this group and this feels like home.

"Whenever I have to represent for the national team it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a performance you may not receive that opportunity again.

"My whole focus this week was to take the field and do what I could do."

Manager declared: 'Excellent players require no justifications'

After twenty-eight caps on the wing, Hansen was given the number 15 role for the initial time with multiple players unavailable.

For him, it was essentially a case of continuing where he finished during the summer.

The 28-year-old had been in superb form before physical issues disrupted his aspiration of joining the Test team.

After come back last month, he suffered a foot problem that ruled him out for earlier fixtures.

The coach had indicated that Hansen was especially determined and these turned out to be not empty statements as the former provincial player gave his coach a positive selection dilemma for upcoming matches.

"So my first reaction were, 'You better perform well in those different coloured shoes!'," commented Farrell, alluding to Hansen's decision to sport mismatched footwear.

"Actually I believed that was appropriate but it seems Hansen just made that personally regardless. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the match, 'Good players don't need excuses, they can perform and just be themselves, you can win the player of the game if you want,' and he went, 'Yes, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that kind of performer, he prepares well, he's has a excellent approach to understand his preparation and so that's why he slotted right into the team and he was able to perform naturally due to that."

The player's efforts also received commendation from the rival coach, who remarked he was the "standout Australian performer" on the evening.

"In my view he was outstanding, his experience showed to the fore," said the ex- national manager.

"Regrettably, Mack was likely the standout opposition performer on the field. He's got a great skillset and he's such a strong competitor."

Pressed about what enables Hansen a strong fit at the number 15 position, Farrell continued: "Appearing in the middle of the field is something that he demonstrates from the flank regardless, but I suppose he's better in place for that more often.

"His aerial play was brilliant, wasn't it? I thought we didn't get bored of doing the correct approach and that was putting the ball back on them to gain territory.

"The reason that was the right strategy to do is because it's the players of Hansen who was getting the possessions back, and other teammates, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

Outside Hansen, there were multiple positives for Farrell.

Another player was excellent on his return to the fly-half jersey, the scrum and line-out functioned smoothly and different player did not look out of place in his debut appearance in the forwards.

But perhaps more satisfying for Farrell was the team framing the game with multiple impressive periods.

Hansen's initial two tries occurred in the first eleven moments while additional players scored in the closing stages after the other team had crossed, ensuring the home team concluded on a high.

"In my opinion we really performed freely and attacked the game straight from the word go," said the coach.

"How we handled various aspects throughout the match, especially the opposition coming back just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and producing a performance like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as territory and being across most of our strategy in that second half was truly satisfying."

The might of South Africa are awaiting for Ireland, in what might be considered as an unofficial decider to last year's tied two-Test series on opposition territory.

The coach's side will need to attain another standard to beat the back-to-back title holders, but Saturday's victory of the Wallabies was a important advancement in the correct path after an uninspiring start to their autumn schedule.