Hansen delivers brilliant performance as Irish squad respond to coach's challenge

Following last week's underwhelming performance against Japan, the head coach told his Ireland team to improve their game.

Ireland responded right away.

Ireland had faded late against New Zealand and taken most of the match to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, against the Wallabies, they started powerfully, with the talented back excelling most prominently during a 46-19 triumph that represented Ireland's finest performance of the season.

Making his first international start at full-back, the player registered a three tries, competed excellently for aerial challenges and performed exceptionally against the nation of his birth.

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

"I longed for being in this team, I know there's considerable talk about me not exactly being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this group and this feels like family.

"Any time I have to represent for Ireland it's a honor, if you don't put in a performance you may not receive that privilege again.

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

Coach declared: 'Good athletes require no excuses'

After twenty-eight caps on the wing, Hansen was entrusted the number 15 position for the first time with multiple players injured.

In his case, it was simply a matter of continuing where he left off during the summer.

The 28-year-old had been in excellent form before injury ended his dream of making the international team.

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

Farrell had suggested that Hansen was particularly determined and these turned out to be not hollow words as the former club player gave his coach a welcome team dilemma for upcoming games.

"Well my initial reaction were, 'You need to perform well in those different colored shoes!'," commented Farrell, referring to the player's decision to sport mismatched footwear.

"Actually I believed that was appropriate but apparently Mack just did that himself regardless. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the game, 'Good players require no excuses, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can win the man of the match if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yes, I agree.'

"So he's that type of player, he prepares thoroughly, he's has a great attitude to get across his detail and so that's why he slotted straight back in and he was capable to be himself due to that."

The player's performance also received praise from the rival manager, who stated he was the "exceptional opposition player" on the evening.

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

"Regrettably, Mack was likely the best opposition performer on the field. He's has a great skillset and he's such a good contender."

When asked about what enables Hansen a strong fit at full-back, the coach added: "Appearing in the center of the field is a trait that he demonstrates from the flank anyway, but I imagine he's better in position for that frequently.

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

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

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

Another player was outstanding on his return to the number 10 jersey, the set piece and line-out operated effectively and another teammate did not look uncomfortable in his debut appearance in the front row.

But perhaps more pleasing for Farrell was the team framing the match with multiple impressive periods.

Hansen's first couple of scores came in the opening 11 moments while other players registered in the closing exchanges after the other team had crossed, guaranteeing the home side finished on a high.

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

"How we handled numerous elements during the game, especially them responding just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and producing a display like we did in the later stages, I thought 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 next up for the team, in what might be viewed as an informal conclusion to last year's drawn two-Test 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 defeat of the Wallabies was a important advancement in the correct direction after an uninspiring start to their autumn campaign.