🔗 Share this article

After their previous underwhelming showing against Japan, the head coach told his Ireland team to improve their game.

Ireland listened immediately.

Ireland had faded late against New Zealand and required considerable time to find their rhythm versus Japan.

However, against the Wallabies, they began powerfully, with the talented back excelling most prominently during a comprehensive victory that marked the team's finest display of the season.

Making his debut test match appearance at the number 15 position, the player registered a three tries, competed brilliantly for aerial challenges and performed outstandingly against the nation of his origin.

"You know, I've had a pretty difficult period with injuries honestly," Hansen commented.

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

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

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

Coach stated: 'Good athletes don't need justifications'

Following twenty-eight appearances on the wing, Hansen was given the number 15 role for the first time with multiple teammates injured.

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

The experienced player had been in excellent form before physical issues disrupted his dream of making the Test squad.

Having come back recently, he suffered a foot injury that ruled him out for earlier fixtures.

Farrell had suggested that Hansen was particularly determined and these turned out to be not hollow words as the former provincial player gave his coach a positive team dilemma for future matches.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You better play excellently in those two coloured boots!'," commented Farrell, referring to Hansen's decision to wear mismatched footwear.

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

"I told to him before the game, 'Excellent athletes require no excuses, they can perform and just play naturally, you can win the player of the game if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yes, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that kind of player, he prepares well, he's has a great attitude to understand his detail and thus that's why he fitted straight into the team and he was able to be himself because of that."

The player'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 super, his knowledge showed to the fore," said the former international coach.

"Regrettably, Hansen was probably the standout Australian performer on the field. He's got a excellent skillset and he's such a good competitor."

When asked about what makes the player a good fit at the number 15 position, the coach added: "Appearing in the center of the pitch is a trait that he demonstrates from the flank anyway, but I imagine he's better in position for that frequently.

"The player's aerial play was excellent, don't you think? I thought we didn't get bored of doing the correct approach and that was placing the possession again on them to gain field position.

"Why that was the right thing to do is since it's the likes of Hansen who was securing the possessions returned, and other players, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

Outside the star performer, there were multiple positives for the coach.

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

But possibly more pleasing for Farrell was Ireland framing the game with multiple impressive periods.

The player's first couple of tries came in the first eleven minutes while other players registered in the closing exchanges after the other team had crossed, guaranteeing the Irish side finished on a high.

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

"The way we handled numerous elements during the game, particularly the opposition coming back just before half-time and regathering ourselves and giving a performance like we achieved in the later stages, I thought as far as field position and being across most of our game in that second half was truly pleasing."

The strength of South Africa are next up for the team, in what could be viewed as an unofficial decider to the previous season's drawn two-Test contest on rival soil.

Farrell's side will need to reach a higher standard to beat the back-to-back world champions, but the recent victory of the Wallabies was a significant advancement in the correct direction after an uninspiring beginning to their fall schedule.