🔗 Share this article

Following last week's disappointing showing against Japan, the head coach told his Irish squad to improve their performance.

Ireland listened right away.

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

Nevertheless, facing the Wallabies, they started strongly, with Mack Hansen excelling most prominently during a comprehensive triumph that represented the team's finest performance this year.

In his debut test match start 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.

"You know, I've experienced a fairly challenging period with fitness issues honestly," Hansen commented.

"I missed being in this squad, I know there's much discussion about me not necessarily being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this team and this seems like home.

"Whenever I have to play for Ireland it's a honor, if you don't put in a good showing you may not receive that privilege again.

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

Manager stated: 'Excellent players don't need justifications'

Following twenty-eight caps on the flank, the player was given the full-back position for the initial time with multiple players unavailable.

For him, it was essentially a case of picking up where he left off during the summer.

The 28-year-old had been in superb form before physical issues disrupted his dream of making the Test team.

Having returned last month, he suffered a lower body injury that made him unavailable for earlier matches.

The coach had suggested that the player was especially motivated and these proved not empty statements as the ex- club player gave his coach a positive selection headache for upcoming games.

"So my initial thoughts were, 'You need to perform well in those different coloured shoes!'," said Farrell, alluding to the player's decision to sport different footwear.

"Actually I thought that was appropriate but it seems Hansen just made that himself regardless. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes require no excuses, they can perform and just be themselves, you can get the man of the match if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yes, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that type of performer, he trains well, he's got a great approach to get across his preparation and so that's why he slotted straight into the team and he was capable to perform naturally due to that."

The player's performance also earned praise from the opposing manager, who stated he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the night.

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

"Regrettably, Mack was likely the best Australian performer on the field. He's has a excellent skillset and he's such a good competitor."

When asked about what enables Hansen a good option at the number 15 position, the coach added: "Showing up in the center of the pitch is something that he does from the flank anyway, but I imagine he's better in position for that frequently.

"His high ball play was excellent, don't you think? I thought we didn't get bored of executing the right approach and that was placing the possession again on them to gain field position.

"The reason that was the right thing to do is since it's the players of Mackie who was securing the possessions back, and other players, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

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

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his return to the number 10 position, the set piece and throw-in operated effectively and different teammate did not look out of place in his first appearance in the front row.

But perhaps more pleasing for the manager was Ireland bookending the match with multiple strong periods.

The player's first couple of tries occurred in the opening eleven minutes while additional teammates scored in the final stages after the other team had scored, ensuring the Irish side concluded on a high.

"I thought we really let ourselves go and approached the match right from the beginning," stated the coach.

"How we handled numerous aspects during the match, particularly them coming back just before half-time and regathering ourselves and giving a display like we achieved in the second half, I believed as far as field position and being across the majority of our strategy in that later period was truly satisfying."

The strength of the Springboks are next up for Ireland, in what could be viewed as an informal decider to the previous season's tied multiple match series on opposition territory.

The coach's side will require to reach another standard to defeat the back-to-back title holders, but Saturday's victory of the Australian team was a important advancement in the right direction after an uninspiring beginning to their autumn schedule.