🔗 Share this article

Following last week's disappointing showing against Japan, Andy Farrell challenged his Ireland team to improve their performance.

Ireland responded right away.

The Irish side had faded late against the All Blacks and taken most of the match to get going versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, against Australia, they started strongly, with Mack Hansen excelling most prominently during a 46-19 victory that represented Ireland's best performance of the season.

In his first test match start at the number 15 position, Hansen scored a three tries, competed excellently for high balls and played outstandingly against the country of his birth.

"You know, I've experienced a fairly difficult run with injuries honestly," the athlete commented.

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

"Whenever I get to play for Ireland it's a privilege, if you fail to deliver a performance you may not get that privilege again.

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

Coach stated: 'Good athletes don't need justifications'

Following 28 appearances on the wing, the player was entrusted the number 15 role for the initial time with multiple teammates injured.

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

The experienced player had been in excellent form before physical issues ended his aspiration of joining the Test squad.

After come back last month, he suffered a foot injury that ruled him out for earlier fixtures.

The coach had suggested that Hansen was especially determined and these turned out to be not hollow words as the ex- club player gave his manager a welcome selection headache for upcoming games.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You need to perform well in those different colored boots!'," said Farrell, alluding to the player's decision to wear mismatched boots.

"Actually I believed that was appropriate but apparently Mack just did that himself regardless. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the match, 'Excellent players don't need excuses, they can perform and just play naturally, you can win the man of the match if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yes, I agree.'

"So he's that type of player, he trains well, he's got a excellent approach to get across his detail and thus that's why he fitted right into the team and he was able to be himself due to that."

Hansen's efforts also received praise from the opposing manager, who stated he was the "exceptional opposition player" on the night.

"In my view he was super, his experience showed to the fore," commented the ex- national manager.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was likely the standout Australian player on the field. He's got a great ability and he's such a good competitor."

When asked about what makes the player a strong fit at full-back, Farrell added: "Showing up in the center of the field is something that he demonstrates from the flank regardless, but I imagine he's better in place for that more often.

"His aerial play was excellent, wasn't it? I believed we persisted of executing the right thing and that was putting the ball back on them to secure field position.

"The reason that was the right strategy to do is because it's the likes of Mackie who was getting the possessions back, and other players, so [it's] quite pleasing."

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

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his return to the number 10 position, the scrum and throw-in operated effectively and another teammate did not appear out of place in his first start in the front row.

But possibly most pleasing for Farrell was Ireland bookending the game with multiple strong periods.

Hansen's initial two scores occurred in the first 11 moments while additional players scored in the final exchanges after the opposition had scored, guaranteeing the Irish side finished on a high.

"I thought we really let ourselves go and attacked the game right from the beginning," said the coach.

"How we handled various elements during the match, especially them coming back just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and giving a display like we achieved in the second half, I believed as far as field position and being familiar with most of our game in that second half was truly satisfying."

The strength of the Springboks are next up for the team, in what might be considered as an unofficial decider to last year's tied two-Test contest on opposition soil.

Farrell's side will need to attain another level to defeat the consecutive title holders, but Saturday's defeat of the Australian team was a important advancement in the right path after an uninspiring beginning to their autumn campaign.