Hansen produces brilliant performance as Ireland respond to coach's demand

After their previous underwhelming showing against Japan, Andy Farrell challenged his Ireland squad to improve their performance.

The team listened right away.

Ireland had faded in the final stages against New Zealand and required most of the match to get going versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, facing Australia, they began strongly, with Mack Hansen excelling most prominently during a comprehensive victory that represented Ireland's best performance this year.

In his debut international start at full-back, the player scored a three tries, competed excellently for high balls and performed exceptionally against the country of his origin.

"Look, I've experienced a fairly difficult run with fitness issues really," the athlete commented.

"I missed being in this squad, I know there's considerable discussion about me not necessarily being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this team and this feels like home.

"Whenever I get to represent for the national team it's a honor, if you don't put in a performance you may not receive that privilege again.

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

Coach stated: 'Excellent athletes don't need justifications'

After 28 appearances on the wing, the player was entrusted the number 15 position for the initial time with multiple teammates injured.

In his case, it was essentially a case of picking up where he left off during the warmer months.

The experienced player had been in excellent condition before physical issues ended his dream of making the Test team.

Having come back recently, he developed a lower body injury that made him unavailable for earlier matches.

The coach had suggested that the player was especially motivated and these turned out to be not empty words as the former provincial player gave his manager a positive selection dilemma for upcoming matches.

"So my first thoughts were, 'You better play excellently in those two colored boots!'," commented the coach, alluding to Hansen's choice to sport different footwear.

"In fact I believed that was appropriate but apparently Mack just did that personally regardless. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even started.

"I said to him before the match, 'Excellent players require no excuses, they can perform and just play naturally, you can win the player of the game if you want,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"So he's that type of performer, he prepares well, he's has a excellent attitude to get across his detail and thus that's why he slotted right into the team and he was capable to perform naturally because of that."

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

"I thought he was outstanding, his knowledge was evident to the fore," said the former international manager.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was probably the standout opposition performer on the field. He's has a excellent skillset and he's such a good competitor."

When asked about what enables the player a good fit at the number 15 position, the coach continued: "Appearing in the middle of the pitch is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing regardless, but I imagine he's more in position for that frequently.

"His high ball work was excellent, wasn't it? I believed we didn't get bored of doing the correct thing and that was placing the ball back on them to gain territory.

"Why that was the correct thing to do is since it's the likes of Mackie who was securing the possessions returned, and additional players, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Outside Hansen, there were multiple encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Another player was excellent on his return to the fly-half jersey, the scrum and line-out functioned effectively and another teammate did not appear out of place in his debut start in the front row.

But possibly more pleasing for Farrell was Ireland bookending the game with multiple strong periods.

The player's first couple of scores occurred in the opening 11 minutes while other players registered in the closing exchanges after the other team had scored, ensuring the home side finished on a positive note.

"I thought we really performed freely and attacked the match straight from the beginning," stated the coach.

"How we managed numerous aspects throughout the match, especially them responding just before half-time and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we did in the later stages, I believed as far as territory and being familiar with most of our strategy in that later period was truly pleasing."

The strength of the Springboks are awaiting for the team, in what might be considered as an unofficial decider to last year's drawn two-Test series on opposition territory.

Farrell's team will require to reach a higher standard to beat the back-to-back title holders, but the recent victory of the Australian team was a important step in the right direction after an disappointing start to their autumn campaign.