Hansen delivers brilliant performance as Ireland answer to coach's challenge

Rugby action during Ireland game
Mack Hansen inspired Ireland to decisive win over the Wallabies

Following their previous underwhelming showing against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell told his Ireland team to step up their game.

Ireland responded right away.

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

Nevertheless, against the Wallabies, they started strongly, with Mack Hansen excelling brightest during a comprehensive victory that marked the team's best performance of the season.

Making his first international appearance at the number 15 position, the player registered a hat-trick, competed brilliantly for high balls and performed exceptionally against the nation of his origin.

"You know, I've experienced a pretty difficult period with fitness issues really," the athlete stated.

"I missed being in this squad, I know there's much discussion about me not necessarily being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this group and this feels like home.

"Whenever I get to represent for Ireland it's a honor, if you don't put in a performance you may not receive that privilege again.

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

Coach stated: 'Excellent players don't need excuses'

Following twenty-eight caps on the wing, the player was entrusted the full-back position for the initial time with multiple players injured.

For him, it was simply a matter of continuing where he finished during the warmer months.

The 28-year-old had been in superb form before physical issues disrupted his aspiration of joining the Test squad.

After returned recently, he developed a lower body injury that ruled him out for previous fixtures.

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

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You need to perform well in those different coloured shoes!'," said Farrell, alluding to Hansen's choice to wear different boots.

"Actually I believed that was fitting but apparently Mack just did that personally anyway. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the match, 'Good athletes require no excuses, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can win the man of the match if you choose,' and he went, 'Yes, I agree.'

"So he's that type of player, he prepares well, he's has a great attitude to understand his preparation and thus that's why he fitted right back in and he was capable to perform naturally due to that."

Athlete wearing unique boots
The Irish player performed brilliantly in different coloured boots

The player's performance also received commendation from the rival manager, who stated he was the "standout Australian player" on the evening.

"In my view he was super, his experience showed to the fore," said the ex- national manager.

"Regrettably, Hansen was probably the standout Australian player on the pitch. He's got a excellent skillset and he's such a strong contender."

Pressed about what makes the player a strong fit at full-back, the coach added: "Showing up in the middle of the field is a trait that he does from the wing anyway, but I imagine he's more in position for that frequently.

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

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

Coach directing players
Andy Farrell had demanded an better showing from his team

Beyond Hansen, there were numerous positives for Farrell.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his comeback to the number 10 jersey, the scrum and line-out operated effectively and another player did not appear out of place in his first appearance in the front row.

But perhaps most pleasing for the manager was Ireland framing the match with two strong spells.

Hansen's initial two tries came in the opening eleven moments while other teammates scored in the closing exchanges after the other team had scored, ensuring the Irish side finished on a positive note.

"In my opinion we really performed freely and attacked the game right from the word go," stated Farrell.

"How we handled numerous elements throughout the match, especially the opposition responding just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and producing a performance like we achieved in the second half, I believed as far as field position and being familiar with most of our strategy in that second half was truly pleasing."

The strength of the Springboks are next up for Ireland, in what could be considered as an informal conclusion to the previous season's tied multiple match contest on rival territory.

The coach's side will need to reach another standard to defeat the back-to-back title holders, but Saturday's victory of the Australian team was a important step in the correct path after an disappointing start to their autumn campaign.

Laura Joseph
Laura Joseph

A passionate esports journalist with over a decade of experience covering competitive gaming and industry trends.