Mack Hansen delivers stellar display as Ireland respond to coach's challenge

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

The team responded immediately.

The Irish side had struggled in the final stages against New Zealand and taken most of the match to find their rhythm versus Japan.

However, facing the Wallabies, they started strongly, with Mack Hansen shining most prominently during a comprehensive victory that represented the team's finest display this year.

In his debut test match appearance at the number 15 position, the player scored a three tries, contested excellently for high balls and played outstandingly against the country of his birth.

"You know, I've had a pretty challenging period with fitness issues really," Hansen commented.

"I longed for being in this squad, I know there's considerable discussion about me not necessarily being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this team and this feels like home.

"Whenever I have to play for Ireland it's a honor, if you don't put in a performance you may not receive that opportunity again.

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

Coach stated: 'Good players don't need excuses'

After twenty-eight appearances on the flank, Hansen was given the full-back role for the initial time with several teammates injured.

For him, it was simply a case of picking up where he finished during the summer.

The 28-year-old had been in excellent form before physical issues ended his aspiration of joining the Test team.

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

Farrell had suggested that the player was particularly determined and these proved not empty statements as the former provincial player gave his manager a positive team dilemma for future matches.

"So my initial thoughts were, 'You need to perform excellently in those two coloured boots!'," said the coach, referring to Hansen's choice to sport different footwear.

"Actually I believed that was appropriate but apparently Hansen just made that himself regardless. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the game, 'Good players require no excuses, they can get on with it 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 kind of player, he prepares thoroughly, he's has a great attitude to get across his preparation and so that's why he fitted straight into the team and he was able to be himself due to that."

The player's performance also received praise from the rival manager, who remarked he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the night.

"In my view he was outstanding, his experience was evident to the fore," commented the ex- international coach.

"Regrettably, Hansen was probably the best opposition player on the pitch. He's got a great ability and he's such a good contender."

Pressed about what enables Hansen a strong option at the number 15 position, Farrell added: "Appearing in the middle of the field is a trait that he does from the wing regardless, but I suppose he's better in place for that more often.

"The player's high ball play was excellent, don't you think? I believed we persisted of doing the right approach and that was placing the possession again on them to secure field position.

"The reason that was the correct strategy to do is since it's the likes of Hansen who was securing the balls back, and additional players, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

Beyond Hansen, there were multiple positives for Farrell.

Another player was excellent on his comeback to the fly-half position, the set piece and throw-in functioned smoothly and another player did not appear uncomfortable in his debut appearance in the forwards.

But perhaps more satisfying for the manager was Ireland framing the game with multiple strong periods.

The player's initial couple of scores occurred in the opening 11 minutes while additional players scored in the final exchanges after the other team had scored, guaranteeing the home side concluded on a positive note.

"In my opinion we really let ourselves go and attacked the game right from the beginning," said Farrell.

"The way we handled numerous elements during the game, especially the opposition coming back just before the break and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we did in the later stages, I believed as far as field position and being familiar with the majority of our strategy in that second half was truly satisfying."

The might of the Springboks are next up for the team, in what might be considered as an informal decider to the previous season's tied multiple match contest on rival soil.

Farrell's side will require to attain another level to beat the consecutive title holders, but the recent victory of the Wallabies was a important step in the correct direction after an disappointing start to their autumn schedule.