🔗 Share this article

Following last week's underwhelming performance against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell challenged his Irish team to improve their game.

Ireland listened immediately.

The Irish side had struggled late against the All Blacks and required most of the match to get going versus their Asian opponents.

However, facing Australia, they began powerfully, with the talented back excelling most prominently during a comprehensive victory that marked Ireland's finest display this year.

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

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

"I longed for being in this squad, I understand there's much talk about me not exactly being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this group and this feels like home.

"Any time I get to represent for the national team it's a privilege, if you fail to deliver a good showing you might not receive that privilege again.

"My entire approach this week was to go out and do what I could do."

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

Following 28 appearances on the flank, Hansen was given the full-back role for the first time with multiple players injured.

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 excellent form before injury ended his aspiration of joining the international team.

Having returned recently, he developed a lower body injury that ruled him out for previous fixtures.

The coach had suggested that the player was especially motivated and these turned out to be not hollow statements as the ex- club player gave his manager a positive selection dilemma for upcoming games.

"Well my first reaction were, 'You need to perform excellently in those different coloured shoes!'," said Farrell, alluding to Hansen's choice to wear mismatched footwear.

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

"I said to him before the game, 'Excellent athletes require no excuses, they can perform and just play naturally, you can win the man of the match if you want,' and he went, 'Yes, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that kind of performer, he trains well, he's has a excellent attitude to understand his detail and thus that's why he fitted right into the team and he was able to be himself due to that."

The player's efforts also received commendation from the rival coach, who stated he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the night.

"I thought he was super, his experience showed to the front," said the ex- international manager.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was likely the standout Australian player on the field. He's has a great skillset and he's such a strong contender."

Pressed about what makes the player a strong option at the number 15 position, Farrell added: "Appearing in the middle of the pitch is a trait that he does from the wing regardless, but I imagine he's better in position for that frequently.

"The player's high ball play was brilliant, wasn't it? I thought we didn't get bored of doing the correct approach and that was putting the ball again 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 balls back, and other teammates, so [it's] quite pleasing."

Beyond Hansen, there were numerous encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Another player was outstanding on his comeback to the fly-half jersey, the scrum and line-out functioned effectively and different player did not appear uncomfortable in his debut start in the front row.

But possibly most satisfying for Farrell was the team framing the match with two impressive spells.

The player's first couple of scores came in the first 11 minutes while other players scored in the final stages after the opposition had scored, guaranteeing the home team concluded on a positive note.

"In my opinion we truly performed freely and approached the game right from the beginning," stated the coach.

"How we managed numerous aspects throughout the match, particularly the opposition responding just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and giving a display like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as territory and being familiar with the majority of our game in that second half was really satisfying."

The strength of the Springboks are next up for the team, in what could be considered as an informal decider to last year's tied multiple match contest on opposition territory.

Farrell's team will need to reach another level to defeat the back-to-back world champions, but Saturday's defeat of the Wallabies was a significant step in the correct path after an uninspiring beginning to their autumn schedule.