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Following last week's disappointing performance against the Japanese team, the head coach told his Irish team to improve their performance.

The team responded immediately.

Ireland had faded in the final stages against New Zealand and required considerable time to find their rhythm versus Japan.

Nevertheless, against Australia, they began strongly, with the talented back excelling brightest during a comprehensive victory that marked Ireland's best display of the season.

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

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

"I missed being in this squad, I know there's considerable discussion about me not necessarily being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this team and this feels like home.

"Any time I get to represent for Ireland it's a honor, if you don't put in a performance you may not get that privilege again.

"My whole focus this period was to go out and do what I can do."

Manager stated: 'Excellent players require no justifications'

After twenty-eight appearances on the wing, the player was given the full-back position for the first time with several teammates injured.

In his case, it was simply a case of continuing where he finished during the summer.

The 28-year-old had been in excellent form before injury disrupted his aspiration of making the Test squad.

Having returned recently, he suffered a lower body problem that made him unavailable for earlier matches.

The coach had suggested that Hansen was particularly determined and these proved not hollow words as the ex- club player gave his manager a positive team dilemma for upcoming games.

"So my first reaction were, 'You need to play well in those two coloured boots!'," commented the coach, alluding to the player's decision to wear mismatched footwear.

"In fact I thought that was fitting but it seems Mack just made that personally anyway. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the game, 'Good 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 want,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"So he's that kind of performer, he trains well, he's got a great approach to get across his preparation and thus that's why he fitted straight into the team and he was capable to perform naturally due to that."

The player's performance also earned praise from the opposing coach, who remarked he was the "standout opposition player" on the night.

"I thought he was outstanding, his experience showed to the front," said the ex- national manager.

"Unfortunately, Mack was probably the best Australian player on the field. He's has a excellent ability and he's such a good competitor."

Pressed about what makes the player a good option at full-back, Farrell added: "Appearing in the middle of the pitch is a trait that he does from the flank anyway, but I suppose he's better in place for that frequently.

"His aerial work was excellent, wasn't it? I thought we persisted of executing the right thing and that was putting the possession again on them to secure field position.

"The reason that was the correct strategy to do is because it's the players of Hansen who was getting the possessions back, and additional players, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Outside the star performer, there were multiple positives for Farrell.

Another player was excellent on his return to the fly-half jersey, the set piece and throw-in operated smoothly and different player did not appear uncomfortable in his debut start in the forwards.

But perhaps more pleasing for Farrell was Ireland framing the match with two impressive periods.

Hansen's first two scores came in the opening eleven moments while additional teammates scored in the final exchanges after the other team had crossed, ensuring the home team finished on a positive note.

"In my opinion we truly performed freely and approached the match straight from the word go," said the coach.

"How we handled various elements during the match, especially them coming back just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and giving a display like we did in the second half, I believed as far as field position and being across the majority of our game in that second half was truly satisfying."

The strength of South Africa are awaiting for Ireland, in what could be viewed as an unofficial conclusion to last year's tied two-Test series on opposition territory.

The coach's side will require to attain a higher standard to beat the consecutive title holders, but Saturday's victory of the Australian team was a important step in the right path after an disappointing start to their autumn campaign.