🔗 Share this article

Following last week's disappointing showing against the Japanese team, the head coach challenged his Irish team to improve their performance.

Ireland listened immediately.

Ireland had struggled late against New Zealand and required considerable time to get going versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, against the Wallabies, they began powerfully, with the talented back excelling brightest during a 46-19 triumph that represented the team's best performance this year.

Making his first test match start at full-back, Hansen registered a hat-trick, contested excellently for aerial challenges and performed exceptionally against the country of his origin.

"You know, I've experienced a pretty challenging run with injuries honestly," Hansen stated.

"I longed for being in this team, I understand there's much talk about me not exactly being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this group and this feels like family.

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

"My entire focus this period was to take the field and perform what I could do."

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

Following twenty-eight appearances on the wing, Hansen was given the number 15 role for the first time with multiple players injured.

In his case, it was simply a case of continuing where he left off during the warmer months.

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

After come back last month, he developed a foot injury that made him unavailable for previous matches.

Farrell had indicated that Hansen was especially determined and these turned out to be not empty words as the former club player gave his manager a positive selection headache for upcoming games.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You better play excellently in those two colored shoes!'," commented Farrell, alluding to the player's decision to wear different footwear.

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

"I said to him before the game, 'Good athletes don't need justifications, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can win the man of the match if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"So he's that kind of performer, he trains well, he's got a great approach to get across his preparation and thus that's why he fitted straight back in and he was capable to be himself because of that."

The player's performance also received commendation from the rival manager, who stated he was the "standout Australian performer" on the evening.

"In my view he was super, his knowledge was evident to the fore," said the ex- national manager.

"Unfortunately, Mack was likely the standout opposition player on the pitch. He's got a great skillset and he's such a good competitor."

When asked about what enables Hansen a good fit at the number 15 position, Farrell added: "Appearing in the middle of the field is something that he demonstrates from the flank anyway, but I imagine he's more in place for that more often.

"The player's high ball play was excellent, wasn't it? I thought we persisted of executing the correct approach and that was putting the possession back on them to gain field position.

"The reason that was the right thing to do is since it's the likes of Mackie who was securing the balls returned, and additional players, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

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

Another player was outstanding on his return to the number 10 jersey, the set piece and line-out functioned smoothly and another teammate did not look uncomfortable in his first start in the front row.

But perhaps more satisfying for Farrell was the team bookending the match with two strong periods.

The player's initial couple of scores came in the opening 11 moments while additional teammates registered in the closing stages after the other team had crossed, ensuring the home team finished on a positive note.

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

"The way we handled various elements throughout the match, especially them responding just before half-time and regathering ourselves and giving a performance like we did in the later stages, I thought as far as field position and being across the majority of our game in that second half was really pleasing."

The might of South Africa are awaiting for the team, in what could be considered as an unofficial decider to the previous season's drawn multiple match contest on opposition territory.

Farrell's side will need to reach another standard to defeat the consecutive world champions, but Saturday's victory of the Australian team was a significant step in the correct direction after an uninspiring beginning to their fall schedule.