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Following last week's disappointing showing against Japan, Andy Farrell challenged his Ireland team to improve their game.

Ireland listened immediately.

Ireland had struggled in the final stages against the All Blacks and required considerable time to find their rhythm versus Japan.

Nevertheless, facing Australia, they started strongly, with the talented back excelling most prominently during a 46-19 victory that represented Ireland's finest display of the season.

In his debut test match appearance at full-back, Hansen scored a hat-trick, competed brilliantly for aerial challenges and played outstandingly against the nation of his birth.

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

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

"Any time I have to play for the national team it's a privilege, if you fail to deliver a good showing you might not get that opportunity again.

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

Manager stated: 'Excellent athletes require no justifications'

Following 28 appearances on the wing, Hansen was entrusted the number 15 position for the initial time with multiple players injured.

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

The experienced player had been in superb form before injury disrupted his dream of making the international team.

Having come back last month, he suffered a lower body injury that made him unavailable for previous matches.

Farrell had indicated that Hansen was especially determined and these proved not hollow words as the ex- provincial player gave his coach a positive selection headache for future games.

"So my initial thoughts were, 'You better perform well in those two coloured boots!'," commented Farrell, alluding to the player's choice to sport different boots.

"Actually I believed that was fitting but apparently Hansen just did that personally anyway. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I said to him before the match, 'Good players don't need excuses, they can perform and just be themselves, you can win the man of the match if you want,' and he responded, 'Yes, I concur.'

"So he's that type of performer, he prepares well, he's has a great approach to understand his preparation and thus that's why he slotted straight into the team and he was able to perform naturally due to that."

The player's performance also received commendation from the opposing coach, who stated he was the "standout opposition player" on the night.

"I thought he was outstanding, his knowledge was evident to the front," said the ex- international manager.

"Unfortunately, Mack was probably the best opposition performer on the pitch. He's has a great skillset and he's such a strong contender."

When asked about what enables Hansen a strong fit at full-back, the coach added: "Appearing in the middle of the field 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, don't you think? I thought we didn't get bored of doing the right thing and that was putting the possession back on them to secure territory.

"Why that was the correct strategy to do is because it's the players of Hansen who was securing the balls back, and other players, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

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

Another player was excellent on his return to the number 10 position, the scrum and line-out functioned effectively and another player did not look out of place in his first appearance in the front row.

But possibly more satisfying for the manager was Ireland bookending the game with two impressive periods.

The player's initial two tries came in the first eleven moments while other players registered in the closing stages after the other team had scored, ensuring the Irish side concluded on a positive note.

"I thought we really performed freely and attacked the match straight from the beginning," said Farrell.

"The way we managed numerous elements during the match, particularly them responding just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and producing a display like we did in the second half, I believed as far as territory and being across the majority of our game in that second half was truly pleasing."

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

The coach's team will need to attain a higher standard to beat the back-to-back title holders, but the recent defeat of the Wallabies was a significant advancement in the correct direction after an uninspiring start to their fall campaign.