Mack Hansen delivers stellar display as Ireland respond to Farrell's demand

Following last week's disappointing performance against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell challenged his Ireland team to improve their performance.

Ireland listened immediately.

Ireland had faded in the final stages against the All Blacks and taken considerable time to find their rhythm versus Japan.

Nevertheless, against Australia, they began strongly, with Mack Hansen excelling brightest during a comprehensive victory that marked the team's finest display this year.

In his debut test match appearance at the number 15 position, Hansen registered a three tries, contested excellently for aerial challenges and performed outstandingly against the nation of his birth.

"Look, I've had a fairly challenging run with fitness issues really," the athlete stated.

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

"Any time I have to represent for Ireland it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a performance you might not get that privilege again.

"My entire focus this period was to go out and perform what I could do."

Coach stated: 'Good players don't need justifications'

After 28 appearances on the flank, the player was given the number 15 role for the first time with multiple players injured.

In his case, it was essentially a matter of picking up where he finished during the summer.

The 28-year-old had been in excellent form before physical issues disrupted his dream of making the Test squad.

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

Farrell had indicated that Hansen was especially determined and these proved not hollow words as the ex- provincial player gave his coach a positive team headache for future matches.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You need to perform well in those two coloured boots!'," said the coach, referring to Hansen's choice to sport different footwear.

"In fact I thought that was fitting but apparently Hansen just made that personally anyway. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the game, 'Good 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 concur.'

"Therefore he's that kind of performer, he trains well, he's has a excellent approach to get across his preparation and thus that's why he fitted straight back in and he was able to be himself because of that."

The player's performance also received commendation from the opposing manager, who remarked he was the "standout opposition performer" on the evening.

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

"Regrettably, Mack was likely the standout Australian player on the pitch. He's has a excellent skillset and he's such a good competitor."

Pressed about what makes Hansen a good fit at the number 15 position, the coach continued: "Showing up in the center of the field is a trait that he demonstrates from the flank anyway, but I imagine he's better in place for that frequently.

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

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

Outside the star performer, there were multiple positives for Farrell.

Another player was outstanding on his comeback to the number 10 position, the scrum and throw-in operated effectively and different teammate did not look uncomfortable in his debut start in the forwards.

But perhaps most satisfying for the manager was the team bookending the game with multiple strong periods.

Hansen's initial couple of scores came in the opening eleven minutes while other teammates registered in the closing stages after the opposition had crossed, guaranteeing the home side finished on a high.

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

"How we handled various aspects throughout the match, particularly the opposition coming back just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and giving a performance like we achieved in the later stages, I thought as far as field position and being across the majority of our strategy in that later period was really satisfying."

The might of the Springboks are awaiting for Ireland, in what could be considered as an unofficial conclusion to the previous season's drawn two-Test contest on opposition soil.

The coach's team will need to attain a higher level to defeat the back-to-back world champions, but Saturday's victory of the Wallabies was a significant advancement in the correct path after an uninspiring start to their autumn campaign.