Mack Hansen delivers stellar performance as Irish squad respond to coach's demand

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

The team listened right away.

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

However, against the Wallabies, they began powerfully, with Mack Hansen shining most prominently during a comprehensive triumph that represented Ireland's best performance this year.

In his debut test match appearance at the number 15 position, Hansen scored a three tries, competed brilliantly for aerial challenges and played outstandingly against the nation of his origin.

"You know, I've experienced a pretty difficult period with injuries really," Hansen stated.

"I longed for being in this squad, I understand there's considerable talk about me not necessarily being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this group and this seems like home.

"Any time I have to represent for Ireland it's a privilege, if you don't put in a good showing you may not get that privilege again.

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

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

Following 28 appearances on the flank, the player was given the number 15 role for the first time with several players unavailable.

In his case, it was simply a case of picking up where he finished during the warmer months.

The 28-year-old had been in superb form before injury ended his aspiration of making the international squad.

Having returned last month, he suffered a foot injury that ruled him out for earlier matches.

Farrell had indicated that the player was particularly determined and these turned out to be not hollow statements as the ex- club player gave his coach a welcome selection dilemma for future matches.

"Well my initial thoughts were, 'You need to play well in those different coloured boots!'," commented the coach, alluding to the player's choice to wear mismatched footwear.

"Actually I thought that was fitting but apparently Mack just made that himself regardless. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the game, 'Good athletes don't need excuses, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can win the man of the match if you want,' and he went, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"So he's that kind of player, he prepares thoroughly, he's has a great attitude to understand his preparation and thus that's why he fitted straight into the team and he was able to perform naturally due to that."

Hansen's performance also received praise from the rival manager, who stated he was the "exceptional Australian player" on the night.

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

"Unfortunately, Hansen was probably the standout opposition player on the field. He's has a excellent ability and he's such a strong competitor."

When asked about what enables Hansen a good option at full-back, Farrell continued: "Showing up in the middle of the field is a trait that he does from the wing anyway, but I imagine he's better in position for that more often.

"The player's aerial work was brilliant, don't you think? I thought we persisted of doing the right approach and that was placing the possession back on them to gain territory.

"The reason that was the right strategy to do is since it's the likes of Mackie who was getting the possessions returned, and other players, so [it's] quite satisfying."

Beyond the star performer, there were multiple positives for Farrell.

Another player was outstanding on his comeback to the fly-half position, the set piece and throw-in operated smoothly and different player did not look uncomfortable in his debut start in the front row.

But perhaps most satisfying for Farrell was Ireland bookending the game with multiple strong periods.

The player's first two tries came in the first eleven minutes while additional players scored in the closing exchanges after the opposition had crossed, ensuring the Irish team concluded on a positive note.

"I thought we truly performed freely and attacked the game straight from the word go," stated the coach.

"How we managed various elements during the match, particularly the opposition coming back just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and producing a performance like we did in the later stages, I thought as far as field position and being across most of our game in that later period was truly satisfying."

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

The coach's side will require to reach another level to defeat the back-to-back world champions, but the recent defeat of the Wallabies was a important step in the right path after an uninspiring start to their autumn schedule.