Mack Hansen produces brilliant performance as Irish squad respond to Farrell's demand

After their previous disappointing showing against Japan, Andy Farrell challenged his Ireland team to step up their game.

Ireland responded immediately.

The Irish side had struggled in the final stages against the All Blacks and taken considerable time to get going versus Japan.

Nevertheless, against Australia, they started powerfully, with the talented back excelling most prominently during a 46-19 victory that represented the team's finest display of the season.

Making his first international start at full-back, Hansen scored a three tries, contested brilliantly for high balls and performed outstandingly against the country of his birth.

"You know, I've experienced a pretty difficult period with fitness issues really," Hansen commented.

"I longed for being in this team, I understand there's much talk about me not exactly being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this group and this feels like home.

"Any time I get to play for the national team it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a performance you might not get that opportunity 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'

Following 28 caps on the wing, the player was given the full-back role for the initial time with multiple players injured.

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

The experienced player had been in excellent condition before injury disrupted his dream of making the Test team.

After returned last month, he developed a foot injury that ruled him out for previous matches.

Farrell had suggested that Hansen was especially motivated and these proved not hollow words as the former club player gave his coach a positive team headache for upcoming games.

"So my first thoughts were, 'You better perform well in those two colored shoes!'," said the coach, referring to Hansen's decision to wear different boots.

"Actually I thought that was fitting but apparently Mack just did that personally regardless. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even begun.

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

"So he's that type of player, he trains thoroughly, he's has a excellent approach to get across his detail and thus that's why he fitted straight back in and he was able to perform naturally because of that."

Hansen's performance also earned commendation from the rival manager, who stated he was the "exceptional Australian player" on the evening.

"In my view he was outstanding, his experience showed to the fore," commented the ex- national manager.

"Regrettably, Hansen was likely the best opposition player on the pitch. He's has a great skillset and he's such a strong competitor."

When asked about what enables the player a good fit at full-back, the coach added: "Showing up in the center of the pitch is a trait that he demonstrates from the flank regardless, but I suppose he's more in place for that more often.

"His high ball play was brilliant, wasn't it? I thought we persisted of executing the correct thing and that was putting the possession back on them to gain territory.

"The reason that was the correct strategy to do is because it's the players of Hansen who was securing the possessions returned, and additional players, so [it's] quite satisfying."

Beyond the star performer, there were numerous positives for Farrell.

Another player was outstanding on his comeback to the fly-half jersey, the scrum and throw-in operated effectively and different player did not look out of place in his first start in the forwards.

But possibly more pleasing for Farrell was Ireland bookending the match with multiple impressive spells.

Hansen's initial couple of scores occurred in the opening 11 minutes while other teammates registered in the closing exchanges after the opposition had scored, ensuring the Irish team finished on a high.

"In my opinion we really let ourselves go and attacked the match right from the word go," said the coach.

"The way we managed numerous elements during the match, especially them coming back just before half-time and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we achieved in the later stages, I believed as far as field position and being familiar with most of our game in that later period was really satisfying."

The might of the Springboks are next up for the team, in what could be considered as an unofficial conclusion to last year's drawn multiple match contest on opposition territory.

The coach's side will require to attain a higher standard to beat the back-to-back title holders, but the recent defeat of the Wallabies was a important advancement in the right path after an disappointing start to their fall schedule.