Saturday’s game presented an opportunity for both sides to deliver a much-needed statement performance, with the wounded Wallabies chasing a first win in Dublin since 2013 after bruising defeats by England and Italy.
But Australian confidence was further punctured by a fired-up Ireland, who immediately set about atoning for their sluggish start in last week’s uninspiring win over Japan with renewed intent and aggression.
After the Japan game, Farrell told his players to “get over themselves” and, led by the irrepressible Hansen, they took his words to heart.
Having already claimed his first high ball with ease, Hansen finished a couple of sharp Irish attacks under the posts, the first coming after neat offloads from Sam Prendergast and Stuart McCloskey, whose game was ended prematurely by a recurrence of a groin injury.
Prendergast, restored at fly-half ahead of Jack Crowley, was the chief architect of the second, his quickly-taken kick to the corner forcing a knock-on from the retreating Max Jorgensen as the full-back tried to prevent a 50:22.
From there, Ireland quickly worked the ball to Hansen for his second.
With 28 minutes on the clock, he had his hat-trick when he darted through a gap in the Wallabies defence after Tommy O’Brien did well to claim a Prendergast kick under pressure from Jorgensen.
Hansen’s second and third tries came either side of Australia’s opener, scored by returning centre Ikitau, who made a spell of sustained Wallaby pressure count when he barged past Prendergast under the posts.
While Ireland looked slick in attack, they continued to concede penalties, and after Tadhg Beirne was pinged for offside, Australia – playing their 14th Test this year – narrowed the deficit to five with the last play of the half when impressive back row McReight crossed.
