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After their previous disappointing showing against Japan, Andy Farrell told his Ireland squad to improve their game.

Ireland listened right away.

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

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

Making his debut test match start at the number 15 position, Hansen registered a hat-trick, competed brilliantly for high balls and performed outstandingly against the nation of his birth.

"You know, I've had a fairly difficult run with fitness issues honestly," the athlete stated.

"I longed for being in this team, I understand there's much discussion 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 have to represent for Ireland it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a performance you may not get that privilege again.

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

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

Following 28 appearances on the flank, the player was given the full-back position for the initial time with multiple players injured.

For him, 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 physical issues disrupted his aspiration of making the international team.

Having come back recently, he suffered a foot injury that ruled him out for earlier matches.

The coach had indicated that the player was especially motivated and these turned out to be not empty words as the former club player gave his manager a positive selection headache for future matches.

"Well my first reaction were, 'You need to play well in those two coloured shoes!'," commented Farrell, alluding to the player's choice to wear different boots.

"In fact I thought that was fitting but apparently Mack just did that personally anyway. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the game, 'Good athletes don't need justifications, they can perform and just play naturally, you can get the man of the match if you want,' and he went, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"So he's that kind of performer, he trains thoroughly, he's got a excellent attitude to get across his detail 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 received commendation from the opposing manager, who remarked he was the "standout opposition performer" on the night.

"In my view he was super, his knowledge was evident to the fore," commented the ex- national manager.

"Unfortunately, Mack was probably the standout opposition player on the field. He's has a excellent skillset and he's such a good contender."

When asked about what enables the player a strong fit at full-back, the coach continued: "Appearing in the middle of the pitch is a trait that he does from the flank regardless, but I suppose he's more in place for that more often.

"The player's high ball work was brilliant, wasn't it? I believed we didn't get bored of executing the correct thing and that was placing the ball again on them to secure territory.

"Why that was the correct strategy to do is since it's the likes of Hansen who was getting the balls returned, and other players, so [it's] quite satisfying."

Beyond Hansen, there were numerous positives for Farrell.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his comeback to the fly-half jersey, the scrum and line-out operated effectively and different player did not look out of place in his first start in the front row.

But perhaps more pleasing for the manager was the team bookending the match with multiple strong periods.

The player's first two scores occurred in the first 11 minutes while other teammates registered in the closing exchanges after the opposition had scored, guaranteeing the home team concluded on a high.

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

"How we handled numerous aspects during the game, especially them coming back just before half-time and regathering ourselves and producing a display like we achieved in the later stages, I thought as far as field position and being across the majority of our strategy in that second half was truly satisfying."

The might of the Springboks are awaiting for the team, in what might be considered as an informal conclusion to the previous season's tied two-Test series on opposition soil.

The coach's side will need to attain another standard to defeat the back-to-back world champions, but Saturday's victory of the Wallabies was a significant step in the correct direction after an uninspiring beginning to their fall schedule.