Hansen delivers brilliant display as Irish squad answer to coach's challenge

After their previous disappointing showing against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell challenged his Irish squad to improve their game.

Ireland listened immediately.

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

Nevertheless, against Australia, they started powerfully, with the talented back shining brightest during a 46-19 triumph that marked the team's best display this year.

In his first international appearance at the number 15 position, the player registered a hat-trick, contested brilliantly for high balls and played outstandingly against the country of his birth.

"Look, I've experienced a fairly difficult period with injuries honestly," the athlete commented.

"I missed being in this squad, I understand there's much discussion 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 play for the national team it's a honor, if you don't put in a good showing you may not get that privilege again.

"My entire approach this period was to go out and do what I could do."

Coach declared: 'Excellent players don't need justifications'

Following 28 appearances on the flank, the player was entrusted the full-back position for the initial time with multiple players unavailable.

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

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

Having come back recently, he suffered a foot problem that ruled him out for earlier fixtures.

The coach had indicated that the player was especially motivated and these proved not hollow words as the former club player gave his coach a positive selection headache for upcoming games.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You need to play excellently in those two coloured shoes!'," commented Farrell, referring to the player's decision to sport mismatched boots.

"In fact I thought that was appropriate but apparently Mack just did that personally anyway. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I said to him before the match, 'Good athletes don't need justifications, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can get the player of the game if you choose,' and he went, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that type of performer, he prepares thoroughly, he's has a excellent approach to get across his detail and so that's why he fitted straight back in and he was able to be himself because of that."

The player's performance also earned praise from the rival manager, who remarked he was the "exceptional Australian player" on the night.

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

"Regrettably, Hansen was likely the standout Australian player on the field. He's has a great ability and he's such a good contender."

Pressed about what enables Hansen a good option at the number 15 position, Farrell added: "Showing up in the middle of the pitch is a trait that he does from the flank regardless, but I imagine he's more in place for that frequently.

"His aerial play was brilliant, wasn't it? I believed we didn't get bored of doing the correct approach and that was placing the possession again on them to gain field position.

"Why that was the right thing to do is because it's the players of Mackie who was securing the balls back, and other teammates, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

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

Another player was excellent on his comeback to the number 10 jersey, the scrum and line-out operated smoothly and another player did not appear out of place in his debut start in the front row.

But perhaps most satisfying for Farrell was the team bookending the game with multiple strong periods.

The player's first couple of scores occurred in the first 11 minutes while other players registered in the final exchanges after the opposition had scored, ensuring the Irish side finished on a positive note.

"I thought we really performed freely and attacked the game straight from the word go," said Farrell.

"The way we managed numerous aspects throughout the game, particularly them coming back just before half-time and regathering ourselves and giving a performance like we did in the second half, I thought as far as field position and being familiar with most of our game in that second half was really pleasing."

The might of South Africa are next up for the team, in what could be viewed as an informal conclusion to last year's tied multiple match series on opposition soil.

Farrell's team will require to reach another level to defeat the back-to-back world champions, but the recent defeat of the Wallabies was a important step in the correct path after an disappointing beginning to their autumn campaign.