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After last week's disappointing showing against the Japanese team, the head coach challenged his Irish team to step up their game.

Ireland listened right away.

Ireland had struggled in the final stages against the All Blacks and taken considerable time to get going versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, against the Wallabies, they began strongly, with the talented back excelling most prominently during a 46-19 victory that represented the team's finest performance of the season.

Making his first international start at the number 15 position, the player scored a hat-trick, competed brilliantly for aerial challenges and performed outstandingly against the country of his origin.

"You know, I've had a pretty challenging period with injuries really," the athlete commented.

"I longed for being in this squad, I understand there's considerable discussion about me not necessarily being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this group and this feels like home.

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

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

Coach stated: 'Good athletes don't need excuses'

After twenty-eight caps on the flank, Hansen was given the number 15 position for the initial time with multiple players injured.

In his case, it was simply a case of picking up where he finished during the warmer months.

The 28-year-old had been in superb condition before injury ended his aspiration of joining the international team.

After come back last month, he suffered a lower body injury that ruled him out for earlier matches.

The coach had indicated that the player was particularly determined and these turned out to be not hollow words as the former provincial player gave his manager a welcome team dilemma for upcoming games.

"So my first thoughts were, 'You better play well in those different colored shoes!'," commented Farrell, referring to the player's decision to sport mismatched boots.

"Actually I thought that was appropriate but it seems Mack just did that personally regardless. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the game, 'Excellent players don't need justifications, they can perform and just be themselves, you can get the man of the match if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yes, I concur.'

"So he's that kind of performer, he prepares well, he's has a excellent approach to understand his preparation and so that's why he slotted straight back in and he was able to perform naturally because of that."

The player's performance also received praise from the opposing manager, who stated he was the "exceptional opposition player" on the evening.

"I thought he was super, his experience was evident to the fore," said the ex- international manager.

"Unfortunately, Mack was probably the standout Australian player on the field. He's got a great skillset and he's such a good competitor."

When asked about what enables Hansen a strong option at full-back, Farrell added: "Showing up in the center of the field is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing anyway, but I imagine he's better in place for that more often.

"The player's aerial work was excellent, don't you think? I believed we didn't get bored of doing the correct approach and that was placing the possession again on them to gain field position.

"Why that was the correct strategy to do is since it's the likes of Mackie who was getting the possessions back, and additional players, so [it's] quite satisfying."

Beyond the star performer, there were multiple encouraging aspects for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his return to the fly-half jersey, the scrum and throw-in functioned smoothly and another player did not appear out of place in his debut start in the forwards.

But possibly more pleasing for Farrell was the team framing the match with multiple strong spells.

Hansen's first couple of tries occurred in the first 11 moments while other players registered in the closing stages after the other team had crossed, guaranteeing the Irish team concluded on a positive note.

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

"The way we managed various aspects during the match, particularly the opposition responding just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and giving a performance like we achieved in the second half, I believed as far as territory and being across most of our game in that second half was truly satisfying."

The might of the Springboks are next up for Ireland, in what could be viewed as an unofficial conclusion to last year's drawn two-Test series on rival soil.

Farrell's side will need to reach another standard to defeat the consecutive world champions, but Saturday's defeat of the Wallabies was a significant advancement in the right direction after an uninspiring beginning to their fall campaign.