Hansen produces stellar display as Irish squad respond to Farrell's demand

After their previous underwhelming showing against Japan, the head coach challenged his Irish squad to improve their performance.

Ireland listened immediately.

Ireland had struggled in the final stages against the All Blacks and required considerable time to get going versus their Asian opponents.

However, against the Wallabies, they began strongly, with Mack Hansen shining brightest during a comprehensive victory that marked Ireland's finest performance this year.

Making his first test match start at full-back, the player scored a three tries, contested excellently for high balls and played outstandingly against the country of his origin.

"You know, I've had a fairly difficult period with fitness issues really," Hansen stated.

"I missed being in this squad, I understand there's considerable discussion about me not exactly being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this group and this feels like home.

"Whenever I have to play for the national team it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a good showing you might not receive that privilege again.

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

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

Following twenty-eight caps on the flank, the player was given the full-back position for the initial time with multiple players unavailable.

For him, it was simply a matter of picking up where he finished during the warmer months.

The 28-year-old had been in excellent condition before physical issues disrupted his dream of making the international team.

Having come back recently, he suffered a lower body injury that ruled him out for previous fixtures.

The coach had indicated that Hansen was especially determined and these turned out to be not empty words as the ex- provincial player gave his manager a positive team headache for upcoming games.

"Well my first reaction were, 'You need to play excellently in those two coloured shoes!'," said the coach, referring to the player's decision to wear different footwear.

"In fact I thought that was appropriate but apparently Hansen just made that himself anyway. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the match, 'Excellent players don't need excuses, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can win the man of the match if you want,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that type of player, he trains thoroughly, he's has a excellent attitude to understand his detail and so that's why he slotted straight into the team and he was capable to perform naturally due to that."

The player's performance also received praise from the opposing manager, who stated he was the "standout opposition performer" on the night.

"In my view he was outstanding, his experience showed to the front," said the former international coach.

"Regrettably, Mack was probably the standout opposition performer on the pitch. He's got a great ability and he's such a good competitor."

When asked about what enables Hansen a strong fit at the number 15 position, the coach added: "Appearing in the center of the pitch is something that he demonstrates from the flank anyway, but I imagine he's better in place for that frequently.

"The player's aerial work was excellent, don't you think? I believed we persisted of executing the correct approach and that was putting the ball again on them to gain field position.

"Why that was the correct thing to do is because it's the likes of Hansen who was getting the balls back, and other teammates, so [it's] quite pleasing."

Outside the star performer, there were multiple encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his return to the fly-half jersey, the scrum and throw-in functioned effectively and another teammate did not appear uncomfortable in his first appearance in the front row.

But possibly most pleasing for the manager was the team bookending the match with multiple strong spells.

Hansen's first two scores occurred in the first eleven minutes while additional players scored in the final exchanges after the other team had scored, ensuring the home side concluded on a high.

"In my opinion we truly let ourselves go and approached the match right from the word go," said Farrell.

"How we managed various aspects throughout the game, especially them coming back just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and producing a display like we did in the later stages, I believed as far as territory and being across the majority of our game in that later period was truly pleasing."

The might of South Africa are next up for Ireland, in what might be considered as an informal decider to the previous season's tied two-Test contest on opposition territory.

The coach's side will require to reach a higher level to beat the back-to-back title holders, but the recent victory of the Wallabies was a important step in the right direction after an uninspiring beginning to their autumn schedule.