Mack Hansen delivers stellar performance as Irish squad answer to Farrell's demand

Following last week's underwhelming showing against Japan, Andy Farrell told his Ireland squad to step up their game.

The team listened right away.

The Irish side had faded late against New Zealand and taken considerable time to get going versus Japan.

Nevertheless, facing Australia, they began strongly, with Mack Hansen shining most prominently during a 46-19 triumph that marked the team's best performance this year.

Making his first international appearance at full-back, Hansen registered a three tries, contested brilliantly for high balls and performed outstandingly against the country of his origin.

"Look, I've experienced a fairly difficult period with injuries really," Hansen commented.

"I longed for being in this team, I understand there's considerable discussion about me not exactly being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this group and this feels like home.

"Whenever I have to represent for the national team it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a performance you might not get that opportunity again.

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

Manager stated: 'Good players require no justifications'

Following twenty-eight appearances on the flank, Hansen was entrusted the full-back position for the first time with multiple teammates injured.

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

The 28-year-old had been in excellent condition before injury disrupted his aspiration of making the international team.

After returned recently, he developed a foot injury that made him unavailable for earlier matches.

The coach had indicated that the player was particularly determined and these turned out to be not hollow words as the former club player gave his coach a welcome selection headache for upcoming games.

"So my initial thoughts were, 'You need to perform well in those two coloured boots!'," said the coach, referring to the player's decision to sport mismatched footwear.

"In fact I thought that was appropriate but it seems Mack just did that himself regardless. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even started.

"I said to him before the game, 'Good players require no justifications, they can perform and just play naturally, you can get the player of the game if you want,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"So he's that type of player, he trains well, he's got a great approach to get across his detail and thus that's why he fitted right into the team and he was capable to be himself because of that."

The player's efforts also received commendation from the opposing manager, who remarked he was the "exceptional Australian performer" on the evening.

"I thought he was outstanding, his experience showed to the front," commented the former national manager.

"Regrettably, Hansen was likely the best opposition player on the pitch. He's has a great ability and he's such a strong competitor."

When asked about what enables Hansen a good option at full-back, Farrell added: "Appearing in the middle of the field is something that he does from the flank anyway, but I imagine he's more in position for that frequently.

"His high ball play was brilliant, don't you think? I thought we didn't get bored of executing the correct approach and that was putting the possession back on them to gain territory.

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

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

Another player was excellent on his return to the number 10 position, the set piece and line-out functioned smoothly and different teammate did not look out of place in his first appearance in the forwards.

But possibly more satisfying for the manager was the team framing the game with multiple strong spells.

The player's first couple of tries occurred in the opening 11 minutes while other teammates registered in the closing stages after the other team had crossed, guaranteeing the Irish team finished on a positive note.

"In my opinion we truly performed freely and attacked the match straight from the beginning," said the coach.

"The way we managed numerous aspects during the game, especially the opposition coming back just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and producing a performance like we did in the later stages, I thought as far as territory and being familiar with most of our strategy in that second half was truly satisfying."

The might of the Springboks are awaiting for the team, in what might be viewed as an unofficial conclusion to the previous season's tied multiple match series on rival territory.

Farrell's team will require to reach another level to beat the consecutive title holders, but the recent defeat of the Wallabies was a important advancement in the correct path after an uninspiring start to their autumn schedule.