Hansen produces stellar display as Irish squad respond to Farrell's demand

After last week's underwhelming performance against Japan, the head coach told his Ireland squad to step up their game.

The team responded right away.

Ireland had struggled in the final stages against New Zealand and taken most of the match to get going versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, facing the Wallabies, they began powerfully, with Mack Hansen excelling brightest during a 46-19 victory that represented Ireland's finest performance this year.

In his first international appearance at full-back, Hansen registered a hat-trick, competed brilliantly for aerial challenges and played exceptionally against the country of his birth.

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

"I longed for being in this team, 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 seems like home.

"Whenever I get to play for the national team it's a honor, if you don't put in a good showing you may not get that opportunity again.

"My whole focus this week was to go out and do what I can do."

Manager stated: 'Good players don't need excuses'

Following twenty-eight appearances on the wing, the player was entrusted the number 15 position for the initial time with several teammates injured.

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

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

After come back last month, he developed a foot problem that made him unavailable for earlier matches.

The coach had suggested that the player was particularly determined and these proved not hollow statements as the former provincial player gave his coach a positive selection headache for upcoming games.

"So my initial thoughts were, 'You need to play excellently in those different coloured shoes!'," said Farrell, referring to Hansen's decision to wear mismatched footwear.

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

"I told to him before the match, 'Excellent players don't need excuses, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can win the player of the game if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yes, I agree.'

"So he's that kind of player, he trains well, he's got a excellent attitude to understand his detail and thus that's why he slotted right back in and he was capable to perform naturally because of that."

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

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

"Regrettably, Mack was probably the standout Australian player on the pitch. He's has a excellent 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 pitch is a trait that he does from the flank anyway, but I imagine he's better in place for that more often.

"His high ball play was brilliant, don't you think? I thought we persisted of doing the correct approach and that was placing the ball again on them to gain field position.

"Why that was the right strategy to do is since it's the likes of Mackie who was securing the balls returned, and additional players, so [it's] quite pleasing."

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

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

But possibly more satisfying for Farrell was the team bookending the game with two strong periods.

The player's initial two scores came in the opening eleven minutes while other players registered in the closing stages after the opposition had scored, guaranteeing the Irish side concluded on a positive note.

"In my opinion we truly let ourselves go and attacked the match right from the word go," stated Farrell.

"How we managed numerous elements throughout the match, particularly them coming back just before the break and regathering ourselves and producing a display like we achieved in the second half, I believed as far as territory and being familiar with most of our strategy in that later period was really satisfying."

The strength of the Springboks are awaiting for Ireland, in what could be viewed as an unofficial decider to the previous season's tied multiple match contest on rival soil.

The coach's team will require to attain a higher standard to defeat the back-to-back title holders, but the recent victory of the Wallabies was a significant advancement in the right direction after an uninspiring beginning to their fall campaign.