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After their previous underwhelming performance against the Japanese team, the head coach told his Ireland team to step up their game.

The team responded immediately.

Ireland had struggled late against the All Blacks and taken most of the match to get going versus Japan.

However, against Australia, they began powerfully, with the talented back excelling brightest during a comprehensive triumph that represented Ireland's best performance of the season.

Making his first international start at the number 15 position, Hansen registered a three tries, competed excellently for high balls and played outstandingly against the nation of his birth.

"Look, I've had a fairly challenging period with injuries honestly," Hansen stated.

"I longed for being in this squad, I understand there's much talk about me not exactly being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this group and this feels like home.

"Any time I get to play for the national team it's a privilege, if you don't put in a good showing you may not receive that privilege again.

"My whole approach this period was to take the field and perform what I can do."

Manager stated: 'Good athletes require no excuses'

Following twenty-eight appearances on the flank, the player was given the number 15 role for the first time with multiple players injured.

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

The experienced player had been in superb condition before physical issues disrupted his aspiration of making the international squad.

Having come back last month, he developed a foot problem that ruled him out for previous matches.

Farrell had indicated that Hansen was particularly motivated and these proved not empty statements as the former club player gave his coach a welcome selection headache for future games.

"So my first thoughts were, 'You need to perform excellently in those two colored shoes!'," said Farrell, alluding to the player's choice to wear different boots.

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

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

"Therefore he's that type of performer, he trains well, he's got a great attitude to get across his preparation and so that's why he fitted right into the team and he was capable to be himself because of that."

The player's efforts also received commendation from the opposing coach, who remarked he was the "exceptional Australian player" on the evening.

"I thought he was outstanding, his knowledge was evident to the fore," said the former international manager.

"Unfortunately, Mack was likely the best opposition player on the pitch. He's has a excellent ability and he's such a strong competitor."

Pressed about what enables Hansen a strong fit at full-back, the coach added: "Showing up in the middle of the field is a trait that he does from the wing anyway, but I suppose he's more in position for that frequently.

"The player's high ball play was excellent, wasn't it? I believed we didn't get bored of executing the right thing and that was putting the possession again on them to secure territory.

"Why that was the right strategy to do is because it's the likes of Hansen who was getting the possessions back, and other players, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

Outside Hansen, 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 operated smoothly and different player did not appear uncomfortable in his debut appearance in the forwards.

But perhaps more pleasing for Farrell was the team bookending the match with two strong spells.

Hansen's first two scores occurred in the first 11 moments while other players registered in the final exchanges after the other team had crossed, guaranteeing the home side concluded on a high.

"In my opinion we really performed freely and approached the match straight from the beginning," stated Farrell.

"The way we managed numerous elements during the match, particularly them coming back just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and producing a performance like we did in the later stages, I believed as far as territory and being across most of our strategy in that second half was truly pleasing."

The might of the Springboks are next up for Ireland, in what could be viewed as an unofficial conclusion to the previous season's tied multiple match series on rival territory.

Farrell's side will require to attain a higher level to beat the back-to-back world champions, but Saturday's defeat of the Wallabies was a significant advancement in the right path after an disappointing beginning to their autumn campaign.