Hansen produces stellar display as Ireland respond to coach's demand

Following last week's disappointing performance against Japan, the head coach told his Irish team to step up their game.

The team listened immediately.

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

However, facing Australia, they started powerfully, with the talented back excelling most prominently during a 46-19 victory that represented Ireland's finest display of the season.

Making his first international start at full-back, the player registered a hat-trick, competed brilliantly for high balls and played exceptionally against the country of his origin.

"Look, I've had a pretty difficult run with injuries really," the athlete commented.

"I longed for being in this squad, I know there's considerable discussion about me not necessarily being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this team and this seems like family.

"Any time I have to play for Ireland it's a privilege, if you fail to deliver a good showing you might not receive that opportunity again.

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

Manager stated: 'Excellent athletes don't need excuses'

After twenty-eight caps on the flank, the player was entrusted the full-back position for the first time with multiple players injured.

For him, it was essentially a case of picking up where he finished during the warmer months.

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

Having come back recently, he developed a lower body problem that made him unavailable for earlier matches.

The coach had suggested that the player was especially motivated and these proved not hollow words as the former club player gave his manager a positive team dilemma for future matches.

"Well my initial reaction were, 'You better perform excellently in those different colored boots!'," commented the coach, alluding to Hansen's decision to sport different footwear.

"Actually I believed that was fitting but apparently Hansen just made that himself anyway. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I said to him before the game, 'Good 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, 'Yes, I concur.'

"So he's that kind of performer, he prepares well, he's has a great approach to get across his detail and thus that's why he fitted right into the team and he was able to be himself because of that."

Hansen's efforts also earned praise from the opposing coach, who remarked he was the "exceptional Australian player" on the evening.

"I thought he was outstanding, his experience showed to the fore," commented the ex- international coach.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was likely the best opposition player on the field. He's got a excellent skillset and he's such a strong contender."

When asked about what makes the player a good option at the number 15 position, the coach continued: "Showing up in the center of the field is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing regardless, but I imagine he's more in place for that more often.

"The player's aerial work was excellent, wasn't it? I thought we persisted of executing the correct approach and that was putting the ball back on them to gain field position.

"The reason that was the correct strategy to do is because it's the players of Mackie who was securing the possessions back, and additional players, so [it's] quite satisfying."

Beyond Hansen, there were multiple encouraging aspects for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his return to the number 10 jersey, the set piece and throw-in functioned smoothly and another teammate did not appear out of place in his first appearance in the front row.

But possibly more pleasing for the manager was the team framing the match with multiple strong periods.

Hansen's first couple of scores came in the opening eleven moments while additional players registered in the final stages after the opposition had scored, guaranteeing the home side finished on a positive note.

"I thought we truly performed freely and approached the game straight from the beginning," stated the coach.

"How we managed numerous elements during the game, especially them coming back just before the break and regathering ourselves and producing a performance 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 pleasing."

The strength of South Africa are next up for the team, in what might be viewed as an informal conclusion to last year's drawn multiple match contest on opposition territory.

The coach's side will require to attain another level to defeat the consecutive world champions, but Saturday's defeat of the Wallabies was a significant advancement in the correct direction after an disappointing beginning to their autumn campaign.