🔗 Share this article

After their previous disappointing performance against Japan, the head coach told his Ireland squad to improve their performance.

The team responded immediately.

The Irish side had struggled late against the All Blacks and taken most of the match to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

However, against Australia, they started powerfully, with the talented back shining brightest during a 46-19 triumph that represented Ireland's finest performance of the season.

Making his debut test match start at the number 15 position, the player scored a hat-trick, contested brilliantly for high balls and performed outstandingly against the country of his birth.

"You know, I've had a pretty challenging run with injuries really," Hansen stated.

"I missed being in this squad, I understand there's much talk about me not exactly being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this team and this seems like home.

"Any time I get to play for Ireland it's a honor, if you don't put in a good showing you might not receive that privilege again.

"My entire approach this week was to take the field and perform what I could do."

Manager declared: 'Good players don't need justifications'

Following twenty-eight appearances on the flank, the player was entrusted the number 15 position for the first time with multiple players unavailable.

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

The 28-year-old had been in excellent condition before physical issues disrupted his aspiration of making the international team.

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

Farrell had indicated that Hansen was especially determined and these proved not hollow words as the ex- provincial player gave his coach a positive selection dilemma for upcoming games.

"Well my first reaction were, 'You need to play well in those different coloured boots!'," said the coach, alluding to Hansen's choice to wear different boots.

"Actually I thought that was appropriate but it seems Hansen just made that himself regardless. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I said to him before the match, 'Excellent players require no excuses, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can get the player of the game if you choose,' and he went, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that kind of player, he prepares well, he's has a great approach to get across his preparation and so that's why he slotted straight back in and he was able to perform naturally due to that."

The player's efforts also received commendation from the opposing coach, who stated he was the "exceptional Australian performer" on the night.

"I thought he was super, his knowledge showed to the fore," commented the former international coach.

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

Pressed about what enables Hansen a good fit at full-back, Farrell continued: "Showing up in the center of the pitch is a trait that he does from the wing anyway, but I suppose he's more in place for that frequently.

"His aerial play was brilliant, wasn't it? I thought we persisted of doing the right thing and that was putting the ball back on them to gain territory.

"Why that was the right thing to do is because it's the players of Hansen who was securing the balls returned, and additional teammates, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

Beyond the star performer, there were multiple positives for Farrell.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his comeback to the number 10 jersey, the set piece and line-out operated smoothly and different player did not appear uncomfortable in his debut start in the forwards.

But possibly most pleasing for Farrell was Ireland bookending the game with multiple impressive spells.

Hansen's first two scores came in the first 11 moments while additional players scored in the final exchanges after the other team had crossed, ensuring the home team concluded on a high.

"In my opinion we really performed freely and approached the match straight from the beginning," said Farrell.

"How we handled various aspects during the game, especially the opposition coming back just before the break and regathering ourselves and producing a display like we achieved in the second half, I believed as far as territory and being across most of our strategy in that second half was really pleasing."

The strength of the Springboks are next up for the team, in what could be viewed as an informal decider to last year's drawn multiple match series on rival territory.

The coach's team will need to reach another level to beat the back-to-back title holders, but the recent victory of the Australian team was a important advancement in the right path after an disappointing beginning to their autumn schedule.