🔗 Share this article

Following last week's disappointing performance against Japan, the head coach challenged his Irish squad to step up their performance.

The team listened right away.

The Irish side had struggled late against the All Blacks and required most of the match to find their rhythm versus Japan.

However, against the Wallabies, they started strongly, with the talented back excelling most prominently during a comprehensive victory that marked Ireland's best performance this year.

In his first international start at the number 15 position, the player registered a three tries, contested brilliantly for high balls and performed outstandingly against the country of his origin.

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

"I missed being in this squad, I understand there's considerable discussion about me not necessarily being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this group and this feels like home.

"Whenever I have to represent for the national team it's a privilege, if you don't put in a performance you may not receive that privilege again.

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

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

After 28 appearances on the flank, the player was given the full-back role for the first time with multiple teammates unavailable.

In his case, it was simply a matter of continuing where he left off during the warmer months.

The experienced player had been in superb form before physical issues disrupted his aspiration of making the Test squad.

After returned recently, he developed a foot problem that made him unavailable for previous fixtures.

The coach had suggested that Hansen was particularly determined and these proved not empty words as the former provincial player gave his coach a positive selection headache for upcoming matches.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You better play well in those different colored boots!'," commented Farrell, alluding to the player's decision to sport mismatched boots.

"Actually I believed that was appropriate but apparently Mack just made that personally regardless. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I said to him before the game, 'Excellent athletes require no justifications, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can get the player of the game if you want,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"So he's that type of performer, he prepares thoroughly, he's got a great attitude to get across his preparation and so that's why he fitted right into the team and he was able to perform naturally due to that."

The player's efforts also received commendation from the opposing coach, who remarked he was the "standout Australian performer" on the evening.

"In my view he was outstanding, his knowledge was evident to the front," commented the ex- international coach.

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

Pressed about what enables Hansen a strong option at the number 15 position, Farrell added: "Appearing in the center of the field is something that he does from the wing regardless, but I imagine he's more in position for that more often.

"His high ball work was excellent, don't you think? I thought we didn't get bored of doing the correct thing and that was putting the ball again on them to secure territory.

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

Outside Hansen, there were numerous positives for Farrell.

Another player was excellent on his comeback to the number 10 position, the set piece and throw-in operated smoothly and different teammate did not appear uncomfortable in his debut start in the front row.

But possibly more pleasing for Farrell was the team bookending the match with two impressive spells.

Hansen's first couple of tries came in the opening 11 moments while additional teammates registered in the final exchanges after the opposition had crossed, ensuring the Irish side concluded on a high.

"In my opinion we really performed freely and approached the match right from the beginning," said Farrell.

"The way we managed numerous elements throughout the game, especially them responding just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and giving a performance like we achieved 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 satisfying."

The strength 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 series on opposition soil.

The coach's team will need to attain a higher standard to beat the consecutive world champions, but the recent victory of the Australian team was a significant advancement in the right direction after an disappointing beginning to their fall schedule.