Mack Hansen produces stellar display as Irish squad answer to Farrell's demand

After their previous underwhelming performance against Japan, Andy Farrell challenged his Irish team to improve their performance.

The team responded immediately.

The Irish side had faded in the final stages against the All Blacks and taken most of the match to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, against Australia, they began strongly, with the talented back excelling most prominently during a comprehensive victory that represented Ireland's finest performance this year.

In his first test match appearance at the number 15 position, the player scored a hat-trick, contested brilliantly for aerial challenges and performed outstandingly against the country of his birth.

"You know, I've had a fairly challenging period with fitness issues really," the athlete commented.

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

"Any time I get to represent for the national team it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a good showing you might not get that privilege again.

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

Coach declared: 'Excellent players don't need justifications'

Following twenty-eight appearances on the wing, the player was entrusted the full-back position 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 injury disrupted his aspiration of making the Test squad.

After come back last month, he suffered a lower body injury that ruled him out for earlier matches.

Farrell had suggested that Hansen was especially determined and these proved not hollow words as the ex- provincial player gave his manager a positive selection dilemma for future games.

"So my first thoughts were, 'You better play excellently in those different colored boots!'," said the coach, referring to the player's decision to sport different footwear.

"Actually I thought that was fitting but it seems Mack just made that personally anyway. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the game, 'Good players require no justifications, they can perform and just be themselves, you can get the man of the match if you choose,' and he went, 'Yes, I concur.'

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

The player's efforts also received praise from the rival manager, who stated he was the "exceptional Australian performer" on the night.

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

"Unfortunately, Mack was likely the best Australian player on the pitch. He's got a great skillset and he's such a good contender."

Pressed about what enables the player a good fit at the number 15 position, Farrell continued: "Appearing in the center of the field is something that he demonstrates from the wing regardless, but I suppose he's more in position for that frequently.

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

"The reason that was the right strategy to do is since it's the players of Hansen who was securing the possessions back, and other teammates, so [it's] quite pleasing."

Outside Hansen, there were multiple encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his comeback to the fly-half position, the set piece and throw-in operated effectively and different teammate did not appear out of place in his first appearance in the front row.

But perhaps most satisfying for the manager was the team bookending the match with two strong periods.

The player's initial couple of tries occurred in the opening 11 minutes while other players registered in the final exchanges after the other team had scored, guaranteeing the Irish team concluded on a high.

"I thought we truly let ourselves go and attacked the game straight from the word go," said the coach.

"The way we managed numerous aspects during the match, especially the opposition responding just before half-time and regathering ourselves and giving a performance like we achieved in the later stages, I believed as far as field position and being familiar with the majority of our strategy in that later period was truly satisfying."

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

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