Mack Hansen produces brilliant display as Ireland respond to coach's demand

After their previous disappointing performance against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell told his Ireland team to step up their game.

The team listened right away.

The Irish side had struggled late against the All Blacks and required considerable time to find their rhythm versus Japan.

However, against Australia, they started powerfully, with Mack Hansen excelling brightest during a comprehensive victory that marked the team's best display of the season.

In his debut test match start at the number 15 position, the player scored a three tries, contested brilliantly for aerial challenges and played exceptionally against the nation of his birth.

"You know, I've experienced a fairly difficult period with fitness issues honestly," the athlete stated.

"I missed being in this team, I understand there's considerable discussion about me not necessarily being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this group and this feels like family.

"Any time I have to play for the national team it's a privilege, if you fail to deliver a performance you may not receive that opportunity again.

"My whole approach this week was to go out and do what I could do."

Manager declared: 'Excellent players don't need excuses'

After 28 appearances on the wing, the player was given the full-back position for the initial time with several teammates injured.

For him, it was essentially a matter of picking up where he left off during the summer.

The experienced player had been in superb form before injury ended his dream of making the international team.

Having come back recently, he developed a lower body problem that made him unavailable for previous matches.

Farrell had indicated that Hansen was especially motivated and these proved not hollow statements as the ex- club player gave his manager a positive selection dilemma for future matches.

"Well my initial reaction were, 'You need to perform excellently in those different coloured shoes!'," said the coach, referring to Hansen's choice to sport mismatched footwear.

"In fact I thought that was fitting but it seems Mack just did that personally regardless. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I said 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 choose,' and he went, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that type of player, he trains well, he's got a excellent attitude to get across his preparation and so that's why he slotted straight into the team and he was capable to be himself due to that."

The player's efforts also earned commendation from the opposing manager, who stated he was the "standout opposition performer" on the night.

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

"Regrettably, Hansen was likely the best Australian performer on the field. He's has a excellent ability and he's such a strong contender."

Pressed about what enables Hansen a strong option at the number 15 position, Farrell continued: "Showing up in the center of the field is something that he does from the flank regardless, but I imagine he's more in position for that more often.

"His high ball play was excellent, don't you think? I thought we persisted of doing the right thing and that was placing the ball back on them to secure territory.

"Why that was the right thing to do is since it's the likes of Hansen who was securing the possessions back, and additional players, so [it's] quite pleasing."

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

Another player was outstanding on his return to the number 10 jersey, the scrum and throw-in operated smoothly and different teammate did not look out of place in his first start in the forwards.

But possibly most pleasing for Farrell was Ireland framing the match with two strong periods.

Hansen's first two tries came in the first eleven moments while other teammates scored in the final exchanges after the opposition had crossed, ensuring the home team finished on a positive note.

"In my opinion we really performed freely and approached the match straight from the word go," stated the coach.

"How we handled various elements throughout the game, especially them coming back just before the break and regathering ourselves and producing a display like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as field position and being familiar with the majority of our strategy in that second half was truly pleasing."

The strength of the Springboks are next up for Ireland, in what could be considered as an unofficial decider to the previous season's drawn two-Test contest on opposition territory.

Farrell's side will require to attain a higher standard to defeat the back-to-back world champions, but the recent victory of the Australian team was a significant advancement in the right direction after an disappointing start to their fall campaign.