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

After their previous underwhelming showing against the Japanese team, the head coach challenged his Ireland squad to improve their game.

The team responded right away.

The Irish side had struggled in the final stages against the All Blacks and taken considerable time to find their rhythm versus Japan.

Nevertheless, facing the Wallabies, they began powerfully, with Mack Hansen excelling brightest during a 46-19 victory that marked the team's finest performance of the season.

In his first test match start at full-back, the player registered a hat-trick, competed brilliantly for high balls and performed outstandingly against the country of his birth.

"You know, I've experienced a fairly difficult period with fitness issues honestly," the athlete commented.

"I longed for being in this squad, I understand there's much discussion about me not necessarily being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this team and this seems like family.

"Any time I get to represent for the national team it's a honor, if you don't put in a performance you might not get that opportunity again.

"My entire focus this period was to go out and do what I can do."

Manager stated: 'Good athletes require no excuses'

After twenty-eight caps on the flank, Hansen was entrusted the full-back position for the initial time with several players injured.

In his case, it was simply a matter of continuing where he left off during the summer.

The experienced player had been in superb form before physical issues ended his dream of making the international team.

After come back recently, he developed a lower body problem that ruled him out for earlier matches.

The coach had indicated that Hansen was particularly motivated and these turned out to be not hollow statements as the ex- provincial player gave his coach a positive selection headache for upcoming matches.

"Well my initial thoughts were, 'You need to perform excellently in those different colored boots!'," said the coach, alluding to Hansen's decision to wear mismatched boots.

"Actually I thought that was fitting but apparently Hansen just made that himself regardless. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the game, 'Excellent athletes don't need justifications, they can perform and just be themselves, you can win the man of the match if you want,' and he responded, 'Yes, I concur.'

"So he's that type of performer, he prepares thoroughly, he's got a great approach to get across his detail and so that's why he fitted right into the team and he was capable to be himself due to that."

Hansen's performance also received commendation from the rival coach, who stated he was the "standout opposition player" on the evening.

"I thought he was super, his knowledge showed to the front," said the ex- national coach.

"Regrettably, Hansen was probably the standout Australian performer on the pitch. He's has a excellent skillset and he's such a good contender."

When asked about what enables the player a good fit at the number 15 position, the coach continued: "Showing up in the middle of the field is something that he demonstrates from the flank regardless, but I suppose he's more in position for that more often.

"The player's high ball play was excellent, wasn't it? I thought we persisted of executing the right thing and that was placing the ball again on them to gain field position.

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

Beyond the star performer, there were multiple encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Another player was excellent on his comeback to the fly-half jersey, the set piece and line-out operated smoothly and another teammate did not look out of place in his debut start in the front row.

But possibly more satisfying for the manager was Ireland framing the match with two strong spells.

The player's initial two scores occurred in the opening eleven moments while other teammates registered in the final exchanges after the other team had scored, ensuring the home team finished on a positive note.

"In my opinion we truly let ourselves go and attacked the match straight from the word go," said the coach.

"The way we handled various aspects throughout the game, especially them responding just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and producing a display like we did in the later stages, I thought as far as territory and being familiar with most of our strategy in that later period was truly pleasing."

The might of South Africa are awaiting for Ireland, in what could be considered as an informal decider to last year's tied multiple match contest on opposition soil.

Farrell's team will require to reach a higher level to defeat the back-to-back world champions, but Saturday's victory of the Wallabies was a important advancement in the correct direction after an uninspiring beginning to their fall schedule.