Hansen delivers stellar performance as Ireland respond to Farrell's challenge

Following their previous disappointing showing against Japan, Andy Farrell challenged his Irish squad to step up their performance.

The team responded immediately.

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

However, facing Australia, they started strongly, with Mack Hansen shining most prominently during a 46-19 victory that represented the team's best display this year.

Making his first international start at full-back, Hansen scored a hat-trick, contested excellently for aerial challenges and performed outstandingly against the country of his origin.

"Look, I've experienced a fairly challenging run with injuries really," the athlete commented.

"I missed being in this squad, I know there's considerable discussion about me not exactly being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this team and this feels like family.

"Whenever I have to play for Ireland it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a good showing you might not receive that privilege again.

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

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

After 28 appearances on the wing, the player was entrusted the full-back role for the initial time with several players unavailable.

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

The experienced player had been in superb condition before physical issues ended his aspiration of making the Test team.

After come back recently, he suffered a lower body injury that ruled him out for previous matches.

The coach had indicated that Hansen was particularly motivated and these proved not hollow words as the ex- provincial player gave his coach a welcome team dilemma for upcoming games.

"Well my initial reaction were, 'You need to perform excellently in those two coloured boots!'," said Farrell, alluding to Hansen's choice to wear mismatched boots.

"In fact I believed that was appropriate but apparently Mack just made that himself anyway. So he's drawn 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 be themselves, you can win the man of the match if you want,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that kind of performer, he prepares thoroughly, he's got a excellent approach to get across his preparation and thus that's why he fitted straight into the team and he was able to perform naturally because of that."

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

"I thought he was outstanding, his experience showed to the front," said the former national manager.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was probably the standout Australian player on the field. He's got a great ability and he's such a good contender."

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

"The player's high ball work was excellent, wasn't it? I thought we didn't get bored of executing the right approach and that was putting the ball again on them to gain territory.

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

Outside Hansen, there were multiple positives for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his return to the number 10 position, the set piece and throw-in functioned effectively and another teammate did not look out of place in his first start in the forwards.

But perhaps more satisfying for Farrell was Ireland framing the match with multiple impressive spells.

Hansen's first two tries occurred in the first eleven minutes while additional players scored in the closing exchanges after the other team had crossed, ensuring the home side concluded on a high.

"I thought we really performed freely and attacked the game right from the word go," said Farrell.

"How we managed various aspects during the game, especially the opposition coming back just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and giving a display like we achieved in the second half, I believed as far as field position and being familiar with most of our strategy in that second half was truly pleasing."

The strength of South Africa are awaiting for Ireland, in what might be considered as an informal conclusion to the previous season's tied two-Test series on opposition territory.

Farrell's team will require to reach another level to beat the back-to-back world champions, but the recent defeat of the Australian team was a significant advancement in the correct path after an disappointing beginning to their autumn campaign.