🔗 Share this article

Following last week's underwhelming showing against Japan, the head coach told his Irish squad to improve their game.

The team listened immediately.

Ireland had faded in the final stages against the All Blacks and taken considerable time to get going versus their Asian opponents.

However, against the Wallabies, they started powerfully, with Mack Hansen excelling brightest during a 46-19 victory that marked Ireland's best performance this year.

Making his debut international start at the number 15 position, Hansen registered a three tries, competed excellently for high balls and played exceptionally against the country of his origin.

"You know, I've experienced a fairly difficult period with fitness issues honestly," Hansen stated.

"I missed being in this team, I know there's much talk about me not exactly being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this group and this seems like family.

"Whenever I get to represent for the national team it's a honor, if you don't put in a good showing you may not get that privilege again.

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

Coach stated: 'Excellent athletes require no excuses'

After 28 appearances on the wing, Hansen was entrusted the number 15 position for the first time with several players unavailable.

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

The experienced player had been in excellent condition before injury ended his aspiration of making the Test team.

After come back last month, he developed a foot problem that made him unavailable for earlier fixtures.

Farrell had indicated that Hansen was especially determined and these turned out to be not empty statements as the ex- club player gave his manager a welcome team dilemma for future matches.

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

"In fact I thought that was fitting but apparently Hansen just made that personally regardless. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the match, '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 went, 'Yes, I agree.'

"So he's that type of performer, he trains well, he's has a great attitude to understand his preparation and so that's why he slotted straight into the team and he was able to perform naturally because of that."

Hansen's performance also earned praise from the rival coach, who remarked he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the evening.

"In my view he was outstanding, his knowledge was evident to the front," commented the ex- international manager.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was probably the best Australian performer on the pitch. He's got a excellent ability and he's such a strong contender."

Pressed about what enables Hansen a good option at full-back, the coach continued: "Showing up in the middle of the field is a trait that he does from the wing anyway, but I suppose he's better in place for that frequently.

"His aerial work was brilliant, don't you think? I thought we persisted of doing the right approach and that was placing the ball again on them to secure field position.

"Why that was the right strategy to do is since it's the players of Mackie who was securing the balls returned, and other players, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

Outside the star performer, there were numerous encouraging aspects for the coach.

Another player was excellent on his comeback to the number 10 jersey, the set piece and throw-in operated smoothly and different player did not look uncomfortable in his debut appearance in the front row.

But perhaps most pleasing for the manager was the team framing the game with two strong periods.

The player's initial two scores came in the opening 11 moments while additional players scored in the closing exchanges after the opposition had crossed, guaranteeing the Irish side concluded on a high.

"I thought we really performed freely and approached the game right from the beginning," stated Farrell.

"The way we managed numerous aspects throughout the game, especially the opposition coming back just before half-time and regathering ourselves and producing a display like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as territory and being across most of our strategy in that second half was really satisfying."

The strength of South Africa are next up for Ireland, in what might be considered as an informal conclusion to the previous season's drawn two-Test contest on opposition territory.

Farrell's side will need to attain another level to beat the consecutive world champions, but the recent defeat of the Australian team was a important advancement in the right direction after an uninspiring beginning to their autumn schedule.