Hansen produces stellar performance as Irish squad answer to Farrell's demand

Following last week's underwhelming showing against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell told his Ireland squad to improve their game.

The team responded immediately.

Ireland had struggled late against the All Blacks and required considerable time to get going versus their Asian opponents.

However, against the Wallabies, they started strongly, with Mack Hansen excelling most prominently during a 46-19 victory that marked the team's finest performance of the season.

Making his debut international start at the number 15 position, the player registered a hat-trick, competed brilliantly for high balls and performed exceptionally against the country of his origin.

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

"I missed being in this squad, I understand there's considerable discussion about me not exactly being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this group and this feels like family.

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

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

Manager stated: 'Excellent athletes require no justifications'

Following 28 appearances on the flank, Hansen was given the number 15 position for the initial time with several teammates injured.

For him, it was simply a case of picking up where he finished during the summer.

The 28-year-old had been in excellent condition before injury disrupted his dream of joining the Test squad.

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

The coach had indicated that the player was especially determined and these turned out to be not empty statements as the ex- provincial player gave his coach a positive selection headache for upcoming games.

"So my first thoughts were, 'You need to perform well in those different colored shoes!'," said Farrell, referring to the player's choice to sport different boots.

"Actually I thought that was appropriate but it seems Hansen just did that himself regardless. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I said to him before the match, 'Good athletes require no excuses, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can get the player of the game if you choose,' and he went, 'Yes, I concur.'

"So he's that kind of player, he trains well, he's got a great approach to get across his preparation and thus that's why he slotted straight into the team and he was capable to perform naturally due to that."

Hansen's performance also received praise from the opposing manager, who stated he was the "standout opposition performer" on the evening.

"I thought he was outstanding, his knowledge showed to the fore," commented the ex- national manager.

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

When asked about what enables Hansen a strong fit at the number 15 position, Farrell continued: "Appearing in the center of the pitch is a trait that he does from the wing anyway, but I suppose he's more in position for that more often.

"His high ball work was brilliant, wasn't it? I believed we didn't get bored of doing the right thing and that was putting the ball again on them to gain territory.

"The reason that was the correct strategy to do is since it's the likes of Mackie who was getting the balls back, and other players, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

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

Another player was outstanding on his return to the fly-half position, the scrum and line-out functioned effectively and different teammate did not look uncomfortable in his first start in the front row.

But perhaps most pleasing for Farrell was the team framing the match with two impressive spells.

The player's initial two scores occurred in the first 11 moments while additional teammates registered in the final exchanges after the opposition had scored, guaranteeing the Irish team concluded on a positive note.

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

"How we handled numerous aspects throughout the match, particularly the opposition responding just before the break and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we did in the second half, I believed as far as field position and being across the majority of our strategy in that second half was really satisfying."

The might of the Springboks are next up for the team, in what could be considered as an unofficial decider to last year's drawn two-Test contest on rival soil.

Farrell's team will need to attain a higher level to beat the back-to-back title holders, but Saturday's defeat of the Australian team was a important step in the correct direction after an uninspiring start to their fall schedule.