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After last week's disappointing performance against Japan, Andy Farrell challenged his Irish team to step up their performance.

Ireland responded right away.

The Irish side had struggled in the final stages against the All Blacks and taken considerable time to find their rhythm versus Japan.

Nevertheless, against the Wallabies, they started strongly, with the talented back excelling brightest during a 46-19 triumph that marked the team's finest display of the season.

In his debut test match start at full-back, the player registered a hat-trick, contested excellently for high balls and played outstandingly against the nation of his origin.

"You know, I've had a pretty difficult run with fitness issues honestly," Hansen commented.

"I missed being in this squad, I understand there's much talk about me not necessarily being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this team and this feels like family.

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

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

Manager declared: 'Excellent athletes require no excuses'

Following twenty-eight caps on the flank, Hansen was given the number 15 role for the first time with several teammates injured.

For him, it was essentially a matter of continuing where he left off during the summer.

The experienced player had been in excellent form before injury ended his aspiration of joining the international team.

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

The coach had indicated that Hansen was particularly motivated and these proved not hollow statements as the former provincial player gave his manager a positive selection dilemma for future matches.

"Well my initial reaction were, 'You better play well in those different coloured boots!'," said Farrell, referring to Hansen's choice to sport different boots.

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

"I said to him before the game, 'Good athletes require no justifications, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can get the player of the game if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"So he's that kind of performer, he trains thoroughly, he's got a great approach to understand his detail and thus that's why he slotted right into the team and he was capable to perform naturally because of that."

Hansen's performance also received commendation from the opposing coach, who stated he was the "exceptional Australian player" on the evening.

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

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

Pressed about what enables Hansen a good fit at full-back, the coach added: "Showing up in the center of the field is something that he demonstrates from the wing anyway, but I suppose he's more in position for that more often.

"His aerial play was brilliant, don't you think? I believed we persisted of executing the right approach and that was putting the possession back on them to gain field position.

"The reason that was the correct thing to do is because it's the players of Hansen who was getting the possessions returned, and additional players, so [it's] quite satisfying."

Beyond Hansen, there were multiple encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his return to the number 10 jersey, the set piece and throw-in operated effectively and different player did not appear out of place in his first start in the forwards.

But perhaps more satisfying for Farrell was Ireland framing the game with two strong periods.

Hansen's initial couple of tries came in the first eleven minutes while additional teammates registered in the final exchanges after the other team had scored, guaranteeing the home team finished on a high.

"In my opinion we really let ourselves go and approached the game straight from the word go," said the coach.

"The way we handled numerous aspects during the match, particularly the opposition responding just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and producing a display like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as territory and being across the majority of our game in that second half was truly satisfying."

The strength of the Springboks are next up for Ireland, in what might be viewed as an unofficial decider to last year's drawn multiple match series on opposition territory.

The coach's team will need to reach another standard to defeat the consecutive world champions, but the recent victory of the Australian team was a significant step in the right path after an disappointing start to their autumn schedule.