🔗 Share this article

After their previous underwhelming performance against Japan, Andy Farrell told his Ireland squad to improve their game.

Ireland listened immediately.

Ireland had faded late against the All Blacks and taken most of the match to get going versus Japan.

Nevertheless, facing the Wallabies, they started powerfully, with the talented back shining brightest during a comprehensive triumph that marked the team's best performance of the season.

Making his first international start at full-back, Hansen scored a three tries, competed excellently for high balls and performed outstandingly against the nation of his origin.

"Look, I've had a pretty challenging period with fitness issues honestly," the athlete stated.

"I longed for being in this team, I know there's much talk about me not necessarily being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this team and this feels like family.

"Any time I have to play for Ireland it's a privilege, if you don't put in a performance you might not receive that opportunity again.

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

Manager declared: 'Excellent players require no excuses'

After 28 appearances on the wing, the player was entrusted the number 15 position for the first time with several teammates injured.

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 ended his dream of making the international team.

Having come back recently, he suffered a lower body injury that made him unavailable for previous fixtures.

Farrell had suggested that the player was particularly motivated and these proved not hollow statements as the former provincial player gave his manager a positive selection headache for future games.

"So my first reaction were, 'You better perform well in those different coloured shoes!'," commented Farrell, referring to Hansen's choice to wear mismatched boots.

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

"I told to him before the game, 'Good athletes 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 kind of player, he trains thoroughly, he's has a great approach to understand his detail and thus that's why he slotted right into the team and he was able to be himself due to that."

Hansen's efforts also received commendation from the opposing manager, who remarked he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the night.

"I thought he was outstanding, his experience showed to the fore," said the former international manager.

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

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

"The player's high ball play was brilliant, wasn't it? I thought we persisted of executing the correct approach and that was placing the possession again on them to secure territory.

"The reason that was the correct strategy to do is because it's the likes of Hansen who was securing the balls back, and additional teammates, so [it's] quite pleasing."

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

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his comeback to the number 10 jersey, the scrum and throw-in functioned effectively and another teammate did not appear uncomfortable in his first appearance in the forwards.

But possibly most pleasing for the manager was the team framing the game with multiple impressive periods.

The player's initial two tries came in the opening 11 minutes while other teammates scored in the final exchanges after the other team had crossed, ensuring the home team concluded on a high.

"In my opinion we really performed freely and attacked the game straight from the beginning," stated the coach.

"The way we managed various aspects during the match, particularly the opposition coming back just before half-time and regathering ourselves and giving a display like we achieved in the later stages, I believed as far as territory and being familiar with most of our strategy in that second half was truly satisfying."

The might of South Africa are next up for Ireland, in what might be considered as an unofficial conclusion to the previous season's drawn multiple match series on opposition soil.

The coach's side will require to attain another standard to defeat the back-to-back world champions, but the recent defeat of the Wallabies was a important advancement in the right direction after an disappointing beginning to their fall campaign.