Hansen delivers brilliant performance as Ireland answer to Farrell's demand

Following last week's underwhelming performance against the Japanese team, the head coach challenged his Ireland squad to improve their performance.

Ireland listened immediately.

Ireland had struggled late against New Zealand and required considerable time to get going versus their Asian opponents.

However, facing the Wallabies, they started powerfully, with the talented back shining brightest during a comprehensive triumph that represented the team's best performance of the season.

In his debut test match start at the number 15 position, the player registered a three tries, competed excellently for high balls and performed outstandingly against the country of his birth.

"Look, I've had a fairly difficult period with injuries honestly," the athlete stated.

"I longed for being in this team, I understand there's much discussion about me not necessarily being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this team and this seems like home.

"Whenever I get to represent for Ireland it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a performance you may not get that privilege again.

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

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

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

In his case, it was essentially a case of continuing where he finished during the warmer months.

The experienced player had been in superb condition before injury disrupted his aspiration of joining the Test team.

Having come back last month, he suffered a lower body injury that made him unavailable for earlier fixtures.

The coach had suggested that Hansen was especially motivated and these turned out to be not empty statements as the former club player gave his coach a positive team dilemma for future matches.

"Well my initial reaction were, 'You better perform well in those two colored shoes!'," said Farrell, referring to Hansen's choice to wear different footwear.

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

"I told to him before the match, 'Excellent players don't need justifications, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can win the player of the game if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that type of player, he trains well, he's got a excellent attitude to understand his preparation and so that's why he slotted right into the team and he was capable to perform naturally due to that."

The player's efforts also received praise from the opposing manager, who remarked he was the "standout Australian player" on the evening.

"In my view he was super, his knowledge was evident to the fore," said the former international coach.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was probably the standout opposition player on the pitch. He's has a great skillset and he's such a good contender."

When asked about what makes Hansen a good option at the number 15 position, Farrell continued: "Showing up in the center of the field is a trait that he does from the flank anyway, but I suppose he's better in place for that frequently.

"The player's high ball play was brilliant, don't you think? I thought we didn't get bored of doing the correct thing and that was placing 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 Hansen who was securing the balls returned, and other teammates, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

Beyond Hansen, there were multiple encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Another player was excellent on his return to the number 10 position, the scrum and throw-in functioned effectively and another teammate did not look uncomfortable in his first appearance in the front row.

But perhaps most satisfying for Farrell was the team bookending the game with two strong periods.

The player's initial two scores occurred in the first 11 moments while additional teammates scored in the closing exchanges after the other team had crossed, guaranteeing the home team concluded on a positive note.

"I thought we truly let ourselves go and attacked the match right from the beginning," stated Farrell.

"How we handled numerous elements during the match, particularly the opposition coming back just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and producing a display like we achieved in the later stages, I believed as far as field position and being across the majority of our strategy in that later period was really pleasing."

The strength of South Africa are awaiting for the team, in what might be considered as an unofficial conclusion to last year's tied two-Test series on rival soil.

The coach's side will need to reach a higher level to beat the back-to-back world champions, but Saturday's victory of the Wallabies was a significant step in the correct path after an disappointing beginning to their autumn schedule.