Mack Hansen delivers stellar performance as Irish squad answer to Farrell's challenge

Following last week's disappointing performance against Japan, Andy Farrell challenged his Irish squad to step up their game.

The team listened immediately.

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

However, facing Australia, they began strongly, with the talented back excelling brightest during a comprehensive triumph that marked the team's best display this year.

Making his first test match appearance at full-back, the player scored a hat-trick, contested excellently for aerial challenges and performed outstandingly against the nation of his origin.

"You know, I've had a pretty difficult run with injuries honestly," Hansen commented.

"I missed being in this squad, I know there's considerable talk about me not exactly being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this group and this seems like home.

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

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

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

Following 28 caps on the flank, the player was entrusted the number 15 position for the initial time with several players unavailable.

For him, 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 dream of joining the international team.

After come back recently, he suffered a lower body problem that made him unavailable for previous matches.

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

"Well my initial reaction were, 'You better play well in those different coloured boots!'," commented the coach, referring to Hansen's decision to wear mismatched footwear.

"In fact I believed that was appropriate but apparently Mack just made that personally anyway. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even started.

"I said to him before the game, 'Excellent players don't need excuses, they can perform and just be themselves, you can get the man of the match if you want,' and he went, 'Yes, I agree.'

"So he's that type of performer, he prepares thoroughly, he's got a excellent attitude to get across his preparation and thus that's why he fitted straight back in and he was able to perform naturally due to that."

The player's performance also received praise from the opposing manager, who stated he was the "exceptional Australian player" on the evening.

"In my view he was outstanding, his experience was evident to the fore," commented the former national coach.

"Regrettably, Hansen was likely the standout opposition player on the pitch. He's got a excellent skillset and he's such a strong contender."

When asked about what enables Hansen a good option at full-back, the coach added: "Showing up in the middle of the field is something that he demonstrates from the flank anyway, but I suppose he's better in position for that more often.

"The player's aerial play was excellent, don't you think? I thought we didn't get bored of doing the right approach and that was putting the possession again on them to gain territory.

"The reason that was the right strategy to do is because it's the likes of Hansen who was getting the possessions back, and additional teammates, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Outside Hansen, there were numerous positives for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his return to the number 10 position, the scrum and line-out functioned effectively and different teammate did not appear uncomfortable in his first appearance in the forwards.

But possibly more satisfying for the manager was the team framing the game with multiple strong spells.

Hansen's initial couple of scores occurred in the first 11 moments while additional players scored in the closing exchanges after the other team had scored, ensuring the Irish team concluded on a high.

"In my opinion we truly performed freely and approached the game straight from the word go," stated the coach.

"How we managed various elements during the match, particularly them responding just before half-time and regathering ourselves and giving a display like we did in the later stages, I thought as far as territory and being across the majority of our game in that second half was really pleasing."

The strength of the Springboks are next up for Ireland, in what might be viewed as an unofficial conclusion to the previous season's tied multiple match series on rival soil.

Farrell's side will require to reach another level to beat the back-to-back world champions, but Saturday's defeat of the Wallabies was a important step in the correct direction after an uninspiring beginning to their autumn campaign.