Mack Hansen produces brilliant performance as Ireland answer to coach's challenge

After their previous disappointing showing against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell told his Irish squad to improve their performance.

Ireland listened immediately.

The Irish side had struggled in the final stages against the All Blacks and required considerable time to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, against Australia, they began powerfully, with the talented back excelling brightest during a comprehensive victory that represented Ireland's finest display this year.

Making his first test match appearance at the number 15 position, the player registered a hat-trick, contested brilliantly for high balls and played exceptionally against the nation of his origin.

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

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

"Any time I get to play for Ireland it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a performance you may not receive that opportunity again.

"My whole approach this week was to take the field and do what I can do."

Manager stated: 'Good athletes require no justifications'

Following 28 caps on the wing, the player was given the full-back role for the first time with several teammates injured.

For him, it was essentially a case of picking up where he left off during the summer.

The experienced player had been in superb form before injury disrupted his dream of joining the international team.

Having come back recently, he developed a foot injury that made him unavailable for earlier fixtures.

Farrell had indicated that Hansen was particularly determined and these turned out to be not empty statements as the former provincial player gave his coach a welcome team headache for upcoming games.

"Well my initial thoughts were, 'You need to play excellently in those two coloured shoes!'," said Farrell, referring to Hansen's decision to sport different footwear.

"Actually I thought that was fitting but apparently Hansen just did that himself regardless. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes require no excuses, they can perform and just play naturally, you can get the player of the game if you choose,' and he went, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that kind of player, he trains thoroughly, he's got a great attitude to understand his detail and thus that's why he slotted right into the team and he was able to perform naturally because of that."

The player's efforts also earned praise from the opposing coach, who remarked he was the "exceptional Australian player" on the evening.

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

"Regrettably, Mack was probably the best opposition player on the field. He's got a great ability and he's such a good competitor."

Pressed about what makes the player a good option at full-back, the coach added: "Showing up in the middle of the pitch is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing regardless, but I suppose he's better in position for that frequently.

"His aerial work was brilliant, don't you think? I believed we persisted of doing the correct approach and that was placing the possession back on them to secure field position.

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

Outside the star performer, there were numerous encouraging aspects for the coach.

Another player was excellent on his comeback to the number 10 jersey, the scrum and throw-in operated effectively and different teammate did not look out of place in his debut appearance in the front row.

But perhaps more pleasing for the manager was the team framing the game with multiple strong periods.

The player's initial couple of scores came in the first eleven moments while other teammates registered in the closing stages after the opposition had scored, ensuring the Irish team concluded on a high.

"In my opinion we truly performed freely and approached the game right from the word go," said Farrell.

"The way we handled numerous aspects throughout the match, particularly the opposition coming back just before half-time and regathering ourselves and giving a performance like we did in the later stages, I thought as far as field position and being familiar with the majority of our strategy in that later period was truly satisfying."

The strength of the Springboks are next up for Ireland, in what could be considered as an informal decider to last year's drawn two-Test series on opposition territory.

Farrell's side will need to reach a higher standard to defeat the consecutive title holders, but the recent victory of the Wallabies was a important step in the right path after an disappointing start to their autumn schedule.