Hansen delivers brilliant display as Ireland respond to coach's demand

Following last week's underwhelming showing against Japan, the head coach told his Irish squad to step up their game.

Ireland listened right away.

Ireland had faded in the final stages against the All Blacks and taken most of the match to find their rhythm versus Japan.

Nevertheless, against Australia, they started powerfully, with Mack Hansen shining most prominently during a comprehensive victory that represented the team's best display this year.

In his debut test match start at the number 15 position, the player scored a three tries, contested brilliantly for high balls and performed outstandingly against the country of his birth.

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

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

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

"My entire focus this period was to take the field and perform what I can do."

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

After 28 caps on the flank, Hansen was entrusted the full-back position for the first time with multiple players unavailable.

In his case, it was essentially a matter of picking up where he finished during the summer.

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

After returned recently, he suffered a foot injury that made him unavailable for earlier fixtures.

The coach had suggested that the player was especially determined and these proved not empty statements as the former club player gave his coach a welcome selection headache for future games.

"Well my first reaction were, 'You better perform well in those two coloured shoes!'," said the coach, referring to the player's decision to sport different footwear.

"In fact I thought that was appropriate but it seems Mack just made that personally anyway. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even started.

"I said to him before the match, 'Good athletes don't need justifications, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can win the player of the game if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that type of performer, he prepares thoroughly, he's got a great approach to get across his preparation and thus that's why he slotted right into the team and he was capable to perform naturally because of that."

Hansen's performance also earned commendation from the rival manager, who remarked he was the "standout opposition player" on the night.

"I thought he was outstanding, his experience was evident to the front," commented the ex- international manager.

"Regrettably, Hansen was probably the best opposition player on the pitch. He's got a excellent ability and he's such a good contender."

When asked about what makes the player a good fit at full-back, the coach added: "Appearing in the center of the pitch is something that he demonstrates from the flank anyway, but I imagine he's more in position for that frequently.

"The player's high ball play was excellent, don't you think? I thought we persisted of executing the correct approach and that was placing the possession again on them to gain territory.

"Why that was the right thing to do is because it's the players of Hansen who was securing the possessions returned, and additional teammates, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Beyond the star performer, there were multiple encouraging aspects for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his return to the fly-half jersey, the scrum and throw-in operated smoothly and another teammate did not appear uncomfortable in his debut start in the forwards.

But possibly most satisfying for the manager was Ireland framing the game with two strong periods.

Hansen's initial couple of tries occurred in the opening 11 moments while other players registered in the closing stages after the other team had crossed, ensuring the Irish side concluded on a high.

"I thought we really performed freely and approached the match right from the beginning," said Farrell.

"How we managed various elements throughout the match, particularly the opposition responding just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and producing a display like we did in the second half, I believed as far as field position and being familiar with most of our game in that second half was truly pleasing."

The strength of the Springboks are awaiting for Ireland, in what could be viewed as an informal decider to last year's tied multiple match series on rival territory.

Farrell's side will need to attain another level to beat the back-to-back title holders, but Saturday's victory of the Wallabies was a significant step in the correct direction after an uninspiring beginning to their fall campaign.