Hansen produces brilliant display as Irish squad respond to coach's challenge
Following their previous disappointing showing against the Japanese team, the head coach told his Irish squad to improve their performance.
The team listened right away.
Ireland had struggled in the final stages against the All Blacks and taken most of the match to find their rhythm versus Japan.
Nevertheless, against the Wallabies, they began powerfully, with Mack Hansen shining most prominently during a 46-19 victory that marked the team's best performance this year.
Making his first test match appearance at the number 15 position, Hansen scored a hat-trick, competed brilliantly for high balls and performed outstandingly against the nation of his birth.
"You know, I've had a fairly difficult period with injuries really," Hansen stated.
"I longed for being in this squad, I understand there's much discussion about me not necessarily being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this team and this seems like home.
"Whenever I get to play for the national team it's a honor, if you don't put in a good showing you may not receive that privilege again.
"My entire focus this week was to go out and do what I can do."
Coach stated: 'Excellent players don't need justifications'
After twenty-eight caps on the flank, Hansen was entrusted the number 15 role for the first time with several teammates injured.
In his case, it was essentially a case of continuing where he finished during the warmer months.
The experienced player had been in superb condition before physical issues ended his aspiration of making the international team.
Having returned last month, he developed a lower body injury that ruled him out for previous matches.
The coach had suggested that the player was particularly determined and these turned out to be not empty words as the ex- club player gave his coach a positive team dilemma for upcoming games.
"So my first thoughts were, 'You need to perform excellently in those two coloured shoes!'," said Farrell, alluding to the player's choice to wear different footwear.
"In fact I believed that was appropriate but it seems Mack just did that personally regardless. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even begun.
"I told to him before the game, 'Excellent players require no justifications, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can win the man of the match if you want,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I agree.'
"Therefore he's that kind of player, he prepares well, he's got a excellent approach to get across his preparation and thus that's why he fitted straight back in and he was capable to perform naturally due to that."
The player's performance also received praise from the opposing coach, who stated he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the evening.
"In my view he was super, his experience was evident to the front," said the ex- international manager.
"Regrettably, Mack was probably the standout Australian performer on the field. He's has a excellent skillset and he's such a good competitor."
When asked about what enables the player a strong option at full-back, Farrell continued: "Showing up in the middle of the pitch is a trait that he demonstrates from the flank regardless, but I imagine he's more in position for that more often.
"His aerial play was excellent, wasn't it? I believed we didn't get bored of doing the right approach and that was putting the possession again on them to secure territory.
"Why that was the correct strategy to do is since it's the players of Hansen who was securing the possessions returned, and other players, so [it's] quite satisfying."
Outside the star performer, there were multiple positives for Farrell.
Another player was excellent on his return to the fly-half jersey, the scrum and line-out operated smoothly and different player did not appear uncomfortable in his first start in the front row.
But possibly more satisfying for the manager was Ireland framing the match with two strong periods.
The player's first couple of scores occurred in the opening eleven minutes while additional teammates registered in the final stages after the other team had crossed, ensuring the Irish side concluded on a positive note.
"I thought we truly let ourselves go and attacked the game right from the word go," stated the coach.
"The way we managed various elements throughout the game, particularly the opposition responding just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and producing a display like we achieved in the later stages, I thought as far as field position and being familiar with most of our strategy in that later period was really satisfying."
The might of South Africa are awaiting for the team, in what could be considered as an unofficial decider to the previous season's drawn multiple match series on rival territory.
The coach's side will require to attain another level to beat the consecutive world champions, but the recent defeat of the Australian team was a significant advancement in the correct path after an uninspiring beginning to their fall schedule.