Hansen produces brilliant display as Ireland respond to Farrell's challenge

After last week's underwhelming performance against Japan, Andy Farrell challenged his Ireland team to step up their game.

Ireland listened immediately.

The Irish side had faded in the final stages against New Zealand and required most of the match to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

However, against Australia, they started strongly, with Mack Hansen shining brightest during a 46-19 victory that marked the team's finest performance this year.

Making his debut international appearance at the number 15 position, the player registered a hat-trick, contested excellently for high balls and performed outstandingly against the country of his birth.

"You know, I've had a fairly challenging run with injuries really," the athlete commented.

"I missed being in this team, I know there's considerable discussion about me not exactly being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this group and this feels like family.

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

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

Coach stated: 'Good athletes don't need excuses'

After 28 appearances on the flank, the player was entrusted 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 experienced player had been in excellent form before physical issues disrupted his dream of making the Test team.

Having returned last month, he suffered a lower body problem that ruled him out for previous matches.

Farrell had indicated that the player was especially motivated and these turned out to be not empty statements as the ex- club player gave his coach a welcome selection headache for upcoming matches.

"So my initial thoughts were, 'You need to perform excellently in those two coloured boots!'," commented Farrell, referring to Hansen's choice to sport different footwear.

"Actually I thought that was appropriate but it seems Mack just made that personally anyway. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I said to him before the game, 'Good athletes require no excuses, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can get the man of the match if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"So he's that type of performer, he trains well, he's has a excellent attitude to understand his preparation and thus that's why he slotted right back in and he was capable to perform naturally due to that."

Hansen's efforts also earned praise from the opposing coach, who remarked he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the night.

"I thought he was outstanding, his knowledge showed to the front," said the former international coach.

"Regrettably, Hansen was likely the best opposition performer on the field. He's got a excellent skillset and he's such a good contender."

When asked about what makes Hansen a good fit at the number 15 position, Farrell continued: "Appearing in the middle of the field is something that he demonstrates from the wing regardless, but I imagine he's better in place for that more often.

"The player's high ball play was excellent, don't you think? I thought we didn't get bored of executing the right thing and that was putting the ball back on them to gain territory.

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

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

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his return to the number 10 jersey, the set piece and line-out operated smoothly and another player did not appear out of place in his debut appearance in the forwards.

But perhaps most satisfying for the manager was Ireland bookending the game with two impressive periods.

The player's first two scores occurred in the opening eleven minutes while additional teammates registered in the final exchanges after the other team had scored, guaranteeing the home team finished on a positive note.

"In my opinion we truly let ourselves go and approached the match right from the beginning," stated the coach.

"The way we managed various aspects during the game, particularly them coming back just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and producing a display like we did in the second half, I thought 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 might be considered as an informal decider to the previous season's tied multiple match contest on opposition territory.

Farrell's team will need to reach a higher standard to defeat the consecutive title holders, but the recent defeat of the Wallabies was a important advancement in the right direction after an uninspiring start to their autumn schedule.