Hansen produces brilliant display as Ireland answer to coach's challenge

Following their previous underwhelming performance against the Japanese team, the head coach challenged his Irish team to step up their game.

Ireland listened immediately.

Ireland had struggled in the final stages against the All Blacks and required most of the match to find their rhythm versus Japan.

Nevertheless, against Australia, they began powerfully, with the talented back shining most prominently during a comprehensive triumph that represented Ireland's best display of the season.

Making his debut international appearance at full-back, the player scored a three tries, competed brilliantly for high balls and played exceptionally against the nation of his origin.

"You know, I've experienced a pretty difficult run with injuries honestly," Hansen stated.

"I longed for being in this squad, I know there's considerable discussion about me not exactly being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this team and this feels like family.

"Whenever I have to play for Ireland it's a privilege, if you fail to deliver a good showing you might not get that privilege again.

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

Manager stated: 'Excellent athletes require no justifications'

Following 28 caps on the wing, Hansen was entrusted the number 15 position for the initial time with several teammates unavailable.

For him, it was essentially a matter of picking up where he left off during the warmer months.

The 28-year-old had been in excellent form before injury disrupted his dream of making the Test squad.

Having returned last month, he suffered a lower body injury that ruled him out for previous fixtures.

The coach had suggested that the player was especially determined and these turned out to be not empty words as the former provincial player gave his coach a welcome team headache for future matches.

"Well my initial reaction were, 'You need to perform excellently in those different coloured boots!'," said Farrell, referring to Hansen's decision to wear mismatched boots.

"In fact I believed that was fitting but it seems Hansen just made that personally anyway. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the match, 'Excellent players don't need excuses, they can perform and just be themselves, you can win the player of the game if you want,' and he went, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"So he's that kind of performer, he prepares well, he's got a excellent approach to understand his detail and so that's why he slotted straight back in and he was capable to be himself due to that."

The player's performance also earned praise from the opposing coach, who stated he was the "standout Australian player" on the night.

"I thought he was super, his experience was evident to the fore," said the former international coach.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was probably the standout Australian player on the field. He's has a great skillset and he's such a good contender."

Pressed about what makes the player a strong fit at the number 15 position, the coach continued: "Showing up in the center of the field is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing anyway, but I imagine he's better in position for that frequently.

"The player's high ball play was brilliant, wasn't it? I thought we didn't get bored of doing the right approach and that was putting the possession again on them to gain territory.

"Why that was the right thing to do is because it's the likes of Mackie who was getting the possessions returned, and other teammates, so [it's] quite pleasing."

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

Another player was outstanding on his comeback to the number 10 position, the scrum and throw-in operated smoothly and different player did not look out of place in his first appearance in the front row.

But perhaps more satisfying for Farrell was the team framing the game with multiple impressive spells.

Hansen's initial two scores came in the first 11 minutes while additional players scored in the final exchanges after the opposition had crossed, guaranteeing the home team finished on a positive note.

"In my opinion we really performed freely and attacked the match straight from the word go," said Farrell.

"How we managed various elements throughout the game, particularly the opposition coming back just before the break and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we achieved in the later stages, I thought as far as territory and being familiar with most of our strategy in that later period was really pleasing."

The might of the Springboks are next up for Ireland, in what could be viewed as an unofficial conclusion to the previous season's drawn multiple match contest on rival soil.

The coach's side will need to reach another standard to defeat the consecutive title holders, but Saturday's victory of the Wallabies was a important step in the right path after an uninspiring beginning to their fall schedule.