🔗 Share this article

After their previous disappointing performance against Japan, the head coach challenged his Ireland squad to step up their performance.

Ireland listened right away.

Ireland had struggled late against the All Blacks and required considerable time to find their rhythm versus Japan.

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

Making his debut international appearance at the number 15 position, the player registered a three tries, contested excellently for high balls and performed outstandingly against the nation of his origin.

"Look, I've experienced a pretty challenging period with injuries honestly," Hansen commented.

"I missed being in this team, I know there's considerable 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 Ireland it's a privilege, if you don't put in a good showing you might not receive that privilege again.

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

Manager stated: 'Good players require no justifications'

After 28 caps on the flank, the player was given the number 15 position for the initial time with several players unavailable.

For him, it was simply a case of continuing where he left off during the summer.

The 28-year-old had been in superb form before injury ended his aspiration of joining the Test squad.

Having come back last month, he suffered a foot injury that ruled him out for previous matches.

Farrell had suggested that the player was especially motivated and these proved not empty words as the former provincial player gave his coach a positive team dilemma for upcoming matches.

"So my first thoughts were, 'You need to play well in those two coloured boots!'," said the coach, alluding to the player's decision to wear different boots.

"Actually I believed that was fitting but it seems Hansen just did that personally regardless. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the match, 'Excellent players don't need excuses, they can get on with it 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 player, he prepares well, he's got a great attitude to understand his detail and thus that's why he fitted right into the team and he was able to perform naturally because of that."

Hansen's efforts also earned praise from the rival coach, who remarked he was the "standout Australian performer" on the night.

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

"Regrettably, Hansen was likely the best opposition performer on the field. He's has a excellent ability and he's such a good competitor."

Pressed about what makes Hansen a good option at full-back, the coach continued: "Showing up in the center of the field is something that he demonstrates from the wing regardless, but I imagine he's more in place for that frequently.

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

"The reason that was the correct thing to do is since it's the likes of Mackie who was getting the balls returned, and other players, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

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

Another player was excellent on his comeback to the number 10 position, the scrum and throw-in functioned effectively and different player did not appear uncomfortable in his first start in the front row.

But perhaps more satisfying for the manager was Ireland bookending the game with multiple impressive periods.

The player's first two scores occurred in the first eleven minutes while other players registered in the closing stages after the other team had crossed, ensuring the Irish team concluded on a high.

"In my opinion we truly let ourselves go and approached the match right from the word go," said Farrell.

"The way we handled numerous aspects during the match, particularly them coming back just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and producing a performance like we did in the second half, I believed as far as territory and being across the majority of our strategy in that second half was really pleasing."

The strength of the Springboks are awaiting for Ireland, in what could be viewed as an informal decider to last year's tied multiple match contest on opposition soil.

Farrell's side will need to reach another level to beat the consecutive title holders, but the recent victory of the Australian team was a important advancement in the correct direction after an disappointing start to their fall schedule.