🔗 Share this article

After last week's disappointing showing against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell challenged his Irish squad to improve their game.

The team responded right away.

Ireland had struggled in the final stages against the All Blacks and required most of the match to get going versus Japan.

However, facing Australia, they began strongly, with Mack Hansen shining most prominently during a comprehensive victory that marked Ireland's best performance of the season.

Making his first international start at the number 15 position, Hansen scored a three tries, competed brilliantly for high balls and performed exceptionally against the nation of his origin.

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

"I missed being in this squad, I know there's much discussion about me not exactly being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this group and this seems like family.

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

"My whole approach this week was to take the field and do what I can do."

Coach declared: 'Excellent athletes don't need excuses'

After 28 caps on the wing, the player was entrusted the full-back position for the first time with multiple teammates injured.

For him, it was simply a matter of continuing where he left off during the summer.

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

After come back recently, he suffered a lower body injury that made him unavailable for previous matches.

The coach had indicated that the player was particularly motivated and these proved not empty statements as the former provincial player gave his manager a welcome selection dilemma for future games.

"Well my first reaction were, 'You better perform well in those two coloured shoes!'," commented Farrell, alluding to Hansen's decision to sport mismatched boots.

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

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

"So he's that kind of performer, he trains well, he's has a great approach to get across his detail and so that's why he slotted right back in and he was capable to be himself due to that."

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

"I thought he was outstanding, his knowledge showed to the front," said the ex- international coach.

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

When asked about what makes the player a strong option at full-back, Farrell added: "Showing up in the middle of the pitch is something that he does from the flank regardless, but I suppose he's better in place for that frequently.

"The player's high ball play was excellent, don't you think? I thought we didn't get bored of executing the correct approach and that was placing the ball again on them to gain territory.

"Why that was the correct strategy to do is since it's the likes of Mackie who was getting the possessions back, and other teammates, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

Beyond Hansen, there were numerous positives for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his comeback to the fly-half position, the scrum and line-out operated smoothly and another teammate did not look uncomfortable in his debut start in the forwards.

But possibly more pleasing for Farrell was the team framing the match with two strong periods.

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

"I thought we truly performed freely and attacked the match straight from the beginning," said Farrell.

"How we handled numerous elements during the match, especially the opposition responding just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and giving a display like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as territory and being familiar with most of our strategy in that later period was really pleasing."

The might of the Springboks are awaiting for Ireland, in what could be viewed as an unofficial conclusion to last year's drawn two-Test contest on opposition soil.

The coach's side will need to attain a higher level to beat the consecutive title holders, but Saturday's victory of the Wallabies was a significant step in the correct direction after an disappointing start to their autumn schedule.