Hansen produces stellar performance as Irish squad respond to Farrell's challenge

Following their previous disappointing performance against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell challenged his Ireland squad to improve their performance.

The team responded right away.

The Irish side had struggled in the final stages against New Zealand and taken considerable time to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, facing the Wallabies, they began powerfully, with the talented back shining most prominently during a 46-19 triumph that marked the team's finest display this year.

In his first international appearance at the number 15 position, Hansen registered a three tries, competed excellently for aerial challenges and performed outstandingly against the country of his origin.

"Look, I've experienced a fairly difficult run with injuries really," Hansen stated.

"I longed for being in this squad, I understand there's much talk about me not exactly being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this team and this seems like family.

"Any time I get to play for Ireland it's a honor, if you don't put in a performance you might not receive that privilege again.

"My whole approach this period was to go out and do what I could do."

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

After twenty-eight appearances on the wing, the player was given the full-back position for the first time with multiple players unavailable.

For him, it was essentially a case of continuing where he left off during the warmer months.

The 28-year-old had been in excellent form before injury disrupted his dream of making the Test squad.

Having come back last month, he developed a lower body problem that made him unavailable for earlier matches.

Farrell had suggested that Hansen was especially motivated and these proved not hollow words as the ex- provincial player gave his coach a positive selection dilemma for future matches.

"Well my initial thoughts were, 'You need to play excellently in those different coloured boots!'," said the coach, alluding to the player's decision to wear different footwear.

"Actually I believed that was fitting but apparently Hansen just made that himself regardless. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the game, '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 responded, 'Yes, I concur.'

"So he's that kind of player, he prepares thoroughly, he's has a excellent approach to understand his preparation and thus that's why he slotted right into the team and he was able to perform naturally because of that."

Hansen's efforts also earned praise from the rival coach, who stated he was the "exceptional Australian performer" on the night.

"I thought he was outstanding, his experience was evident to the fore," commented the former international coach.

"Regrettably, Mack was probably the best opposition performer on the field. He's got a great skillset and he's such a good contender."

When asked about what enables Hansen a strong option at full-back, Farrell continued: "Showing up in the center of the field is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing regardless, but I imagine he's more in place for that frequently.

"His high ball work was brilliant, wasn't it? I thought we didn't get bored of executing the correct thing and that was putting the ball again on them to gain field position.

"The reason that was the right thing to do is because it's the players of Mackie who was securing the balls back, and other teammates, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Beyond the star performer, there were numerous encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Another player was excellent on his return to the fly-half position, the scrum and throw-in operated effectively and another player did not look uncomfortable in his debut appearance in the front row.

But perhaps most pleasing for the manager was the team framing the game with two strong periods.

Hansen's initial couple of tries occurred in the opening 11 minutes while additional teammates scored in the closing stages after the opposition had scored, ensuring the home side finished on a high.

"In my opinion we really let ourselves go and approached the game straight from the word go," stated the coach.

"How we managed various aspects throughout the game, particularly the opposition coming back just before half-time and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we did in the second half, I thought as far as territory and being across most of our game in that later period was really satisfying."

The might of the Springboks are awaiting for the team, in what might be viewed as an unofficial conclusion to the previous season's drawn multiple match contest on opposition soil.

The coach's team will require to reach another standard to beat the consecutive world champions, but the recent victory of the Australian team was a important advancement in the correct direction after an uninspiring beginning to their autumn campaign.