Hansen delivers brilliant performance as Ireland answer to coach's demand

After their previous underwhelming performance against Japan, Andy Farrell told his Ireland team to step up their game.

Ireland listened immediately.

The Irish side had struggled late against New Zealand and required most of the match to get going versus Japan.

However, against the Wallabies, they began powerfully, with the talented back shining brightest during a comprehensive victory that marked the team's best display this year.

Making his first test match start at the number 15 position, Hansen scored a hat-trick, contested brilliantly for aerial challenges and performed outstandingly against the country of his origin.

"Look, I've had a pretty difficult run with injuries honestly," Hansen stated.

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

"Any time I have to play for Ireland it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a performance you might not get that privilege again.

"My entire approach this week was to take the field and do what I could do."

Manager declared: 'Good players don't need excuses'

After twenty-eight appearances on the wing, Hansen was entrusted the full-back role for the initial time with multiple players injured.

For him, it was essentially a matter of continuing where he left off during the warmer months.

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

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

Farrell had suggested that Hansen was particularly motivated and these turned out to be not empty statements as the former club player gave his manager a welcome selection headache for future games.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You need to play excellently in those different colored shoes!'," commented Farrell, referring to Hansen's decision to wear different footwear.

"Actually I believed that was appropriate but it seems Hansen just made that himself anyway. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the match, 'Good athletes require no justifications, they can perform and just play naturally, you can win the man of the match if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that type of player, he prepares well, he's has a excellent attitude to get across his preparation and so that's why he slotted right back in and he was able to perform naturally because of that."

Hansen's efforts also earned praise from the rival manager, who stated he was the "standout opposition player" on the evening.

"I thought he was super, his knowledge was evident to the fore," commented the former international coach.

"Unfortunately, Mack was likely the best opposition player on the field. He's got a excellent 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 field is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing regardless, but I suppose he's more in place for that more often.

"The player's aerial work was brilliant, wasn't it? I believed we persisted of doing the right thing and that was putting the ball back on them to secure field position.

"The reason that was the correct strategy to do is because it's the likes of Mackie who was securing the possessions back, and other teammates, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Beyond Hansen, there were multiple encouraging aspects for Farrell.

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

But perhaps most satisfying for the manager was Ireland bookending the game with multiple impressive periods.

The player's initial couple of tries occurred in the opening eleven moments while other players registered in the closing exchanges after the opposition had scored, ensuring the home side concluded on a positive note.

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

"The way we managed various elements during the game, especially them responding just before half-time and regathering ourselves and producing a display like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as field position and being across the majority of our game in that later period was really satisfying."

The strength of South Africa are next up for Ireland, in what might be viewed as an informal conclusion to last year's drawn multiple match series on rival soil.

Farrell's side will require to reach a higher standard to defeat the back-to-back title holders, but Saturday's defeat of the Wallabies was a important advancement in the right path after an uninspiring start to their autumn campaign.