🔗 Share this article

After their previous disappointing showing against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell told his Ireland team to step up their performance.

The team responded immediately.

Ireland had faded late against New Zealand and taken considerable time to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, against Australia, they began powerfully, with the talented back shining brightest during a comprehensive victory that marked the team's finest performance of the season.

In his debut test match appearance at the number 15 position, Hansen scored a hat-trick, competed excellently for aerial challenges and performed exceptionally against the country of his origin.

"You know, I've had a fairly challenging run with fitness issues honestly," Hansen commented.

"I missed being in this squad, I understand there's much talk about me not necessarily being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this group and this feels like family.

"Whenever I have to represent for the national team it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a performance you may not receive that privilege again.

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

Coach declared: 'Excellent athletes require no justifications'

Following 28 caps on the wing, the player was given the full-back position for the first time with multiple teammates injured.

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

The experienced player had been in excellent condition before injury ended his dream of making the international squad.

Having returned recently, he suffered a foot injury that ruled him out for previous fixtures.

The coach had suggested that Hansen was particularly determined and these turned out to be not hollow statements as the ex- provincial player gave his manager a welcome selection dilemma for future matches.

"So my first thoughts were, 'You better play well in those two coloured shoes!'," commented the coach, alluding to Hansen's choice to sport different footwear.

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

"I said to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes require no excuses, they can perform and just be themselves, you can get the man of the match if you choose,' and he went, 'Yes, I concur.'

"So he's that kind of player, he prepares well, he's has a excellent attitude to understand his preparation and thus that's why he slotted right into the team and he was capable to be himself because of that."

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

"In my view he was outstanding, his knowledge showed to the fore," commented the ex- national coach.

"Regrettably, Hansen was likely the standout Australian performer on the pitch. He's got a excellent skillset and he's such a strong competitor."

When asked about what makes Hansen a good fit at full-back, Farrell continued: "Appearing in the center of the pitch is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing regardless, but I suppose he's better in position for that frequently.

"His aerial play was brilliant, wasn't it? I believed we didn't get bored of executing the correct approach and that was putting the ball back on them to gain field position.

"The reason that was the right strategy to do is because it's the likes of Hansen who was getting the balls back, and other teammates, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Beyond Hansen, there were multiple positives for Farrell.

Another player was excellent on his return to the fly-half jersey, the scrum and throw-in operated effectively and different teammate did not appear uncomfortable in his first appearance in the front row.

But possibly more pleasing for Farrell was Ireland bookending the game with two impressive periods.

Hansen's initial two tries occurred in the first eleven minutes while additional players registered in the closing stages after the other team had crossed, guaranteeing the home team concluded on a positive note.

"In my opinion we really let ourselves go and approached the game straight from the beginning," stated the coach.

"The way we managed numerous aspects throughout the game, especially them responding just before half-time and regathering ourselves and giving a display like we achieved in the second half, I believed as far as field position and being familiar with the majority of our strategy in that later period was really satisfying."

The strength of South Africa are awaiting for Ireland, in what might be viewed as an informal conclusion to the previous season's drawn two-Test contest on rival soil.

The coach's team will need to attain a higher level to defeat the consecutive world champions, but the recent victory of the Wallabies was a significant step in the correct path after an disappointing beginning to their autumn schedule.