🔗 Share this article

Following their previous underwhelming showing against Japan, Andy Farrell told his Ireland squad to improve their performance.

The team responded right away.

Ireland had faded in the final stages against the All Blacks and required most of the match to find their rhythm versus Japan.

However, against Australia, they began powerfully, with the talented back shining most prominently during a comprehensive victory that represented the team's best performance of the season.

Making his first international appearance at full-back, Hansen scored a three tries, competed excellently for aerial challenges and played exceptionally against the country of his origin.

"You know, I've had a pretty challenging run with fitness issues honestly," the athlete stated.

"I longed for being in this squad, I know there's much discussion about me not exactly being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this team and this seems like home.

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

"My whole focus this week was to go out and do what I can do."

Coach stated: 'Excellent players require no justifications'

Following twenty-eight appearances on the wing, Hansen was given the number 15 position for the initial time with multiple teammates injured.

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

The experienced player had been in excellent form before physical issues disrupted his dream of making the international squad.

After come back recently, he developed a foot injury that ruled him out for previous matches.

The coach had suggested that the player was particularly determined and these proved not empty words as the former provincial player gave his coach a welcome selection headache for future matches.

"So my first thoughts were, 'You need to play well in those two colored boots!'," commented the coach, alluding to Hansen's decision to wear different boots.

"Actually I thought that was fitting but apparently Hansen just did that himself regardless. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even started.

"I said to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes don't need justifications, they can perform and just be themselves, you can get the player of the game if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yes, I agree.'

"So he's that kind of player, he prepares thoroughly, he's has a great attitude to understand his detail and so that's why he slotted straight into the team and he was capable to perform naturally due to that."

The player's efforts also received praise from the opposing manager, who stated he was the "exceptional Australian player" on the evening.

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

"Regrettably, Mack was probably the standout opposition performer on the field. He's has a great skillset and he's such a strong competitor."

When asked about what enables Hansen a good option at full-back, Farrell continued: "Appearing in the center of the pitch is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing regardless, but I suppose he's more in place for that frequently.

"His high ball work was brilliant, wasn't it? I believed we persisted of doing the right approach and that was putting the possession again 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 balls back, and other players, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

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

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his return to the fly-half jersey, the scrum and line-out operated effectively and another teammate did not appear uncomfortable in his first start in the forwards.

But possibly more satisfying for Farrell was Ireland bookending the game with two strong periods.

The player's initial couple of tries came in the first 11 minutes while additional teammates scored in the final exchanges after the opposition had crossed, guaranteeing the Irish team finished on a high.

"In my opinion we truly let ourselves go and approached the match straight from the beginning," stated the coach.

"The way we handled numerous elements throughout the match, especially them responding just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and producing a display like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as territory and being across the majority of our game in that later period was really satisfying."

The might of South Africa are next up for Ireland, in what might be viewed as an unofficial conclusion to last year's tied two-Test contest on rival soil.

The coach's side will require to reach a higher standard to beat the back-to-back title holders, but the recent defeat of the Wallabies was a significant advancement in the right direction after an uninspiring beginning to their fall campaign.