🔗 Share this article

After last week's underwhelming showing against Japan, Andy Farrell challenged his Ireland team to step up their performance.

Ireland listened immediately.

Ireland had struggled late against the All Blacks and taken most of the match to find their rhythm versus Japan.

Nevertheless, against the Wallabies, they began strongly, with Mack Hansen shining most prominently during a 46-19 victory that represented the team's best display of the season.

In his debut test match start at the number 15 position, the player registered a hat-trick, contested brilliantly for aerial challenges and performed exceptionally against the nation of his origin.

"Look, I've had a pretty difficult period with fitness issues honestly," Hansen stated.

"I longed for being in this squad, I know there's much talk about me not necessarily being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this team and this feels like home.

"Whenever I get to represent for the national team it's a privilege, if you fail to deliver a performance you may not get that privilege again.

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

Manager stated: 'Good players require no justifications'

After twenty-eight caps on the wing, Hansen was entrusted the number 15 role for the first time with several teammates unavailable.

For him, it was simply a case of picking up where he finished during the warmer months.

The 28-year-old had been in superb condition before injury ended his aspiration of making the international team.

Having come back last month, he suffered a foot injury that made him unavailable for earlier fixtures.

Farrell had suggested that the player was especially motivated and these proved not empty words as the former club player gave his coach a welcome team dilemma for future games.

"Well my first reaction were, 'You better play excellently in those different colored shoes!'," said Farrell, referring to Hansen's choice to sport mismatched footwear.

"In fact I believed that was appropriate but it seems Hansen just made that himself regardless. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes require no excuses, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can win the player of the game if you want,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"So he's that kind of player, he trains thoroughly, he's got a great attitude to get across his detail and thus that's why he slotted right back in and he was capable to be himself because of that."

The player's performance also received commendation from the rival 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 ex- international manager.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was probably the best opposition player on the pitch. He's got a great ability and he's such a good competitor."

When asked about what makes Hansen a good option at the number 15 position, the coach added: "Appearing in the center of the field is something that he does from the flank anyway, but I imagine he's more in place for that more often.

"The player's high ball work was excellent, wasn't it? I thought we didn't get bored of doing the correct approach and that was placing the possession back on them to gain field position.

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

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

Another player was excellent on his comeback to the fly-half jersey, the set piece and line-out operated smoothly and different teammate did not look uncomfortable in his debut appearance in the forwards.

But perhaps more pleasing for the manager was Ireland bookending the game with multiple impressive periods.

The player's initial couple of tries occurred in the opening eleven moments while additional players registered in the final stages after the opposition had scored, ensuring the Irish team finished on a positive note.

"I thought we truly performed freely and approached the match right from the word go," said the coach.

"How we handled numerous elements during the match, particularly the opposition coming back just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and giving a performance like we achieved in the later stages, I thought as far as territory and being across the majority of our game in that second half was truly satisfying."

The strength of the Springboks are awaiting for the team, in what might be considered as an unofficial decider to last year's tied multiple match contest on opposition soil.

Farrell's side will need to attain a higher level to beat the back-to-back title holders, but the recent defeat of the Australian team was a significant advancement in the correct path after an uninspiring start to their autumn schedule.