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Following their previous disappointing performance against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell challenged his Irish squad to improve their performance.

Ireland listened right away.

Ireland had struggled in the final stages against the All Blacks and required considerable time to get going versus Japan.

However, against the Wallabies, they started strongly, with the talented back shining most prominently during a 46-19 victory that represented Ireland's finest display this year.

In his first international appearance at the number 15 position, the player scored a three tries, competed brilliantly for aerial challenges and played exceptionally against the country of his birth.

"Look, I've had a pretty challenging run with injuries honestly," the athlete stated.

"I longed for being in this team, I know there's much talk about me not necessarily being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this group and this feels like family.

"Whenever I have to represent for the national team it's a privilege, if you fail to deliver a good showing you may not receive that opportunity again.

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

Coach declared: 'Excellent athletes don't need excuses'

Following twenty-eight appearances on the wing, Hansen was given the full-back position for the first time with multiple players injured.

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

The 28-year-old had been in excellent condition before physical issues ended his aspiration of making the international squad.

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

The coach had indicated that Hansen was particularly determined and these proved not empty statements as the former provincial player gave his manager a welcome team headache for future games.

"Well my initial reaction were, 'You need to perform excellently in those different coloured shoes!'," commented Farrell, referring to Hansen's choice to sport different boots.

"Actually I thought that was appropriate but it seems Hansen just did that himself regardless. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the game, 'Good players require no excuses, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can win the player of the game if you want,' and he went, 'Yes, I concur.'

"So he's that kind of performer, he trains thoroughly, he's got a excellent attitude to get across his detail and so that's why he fitted right into the team and he was able to perform naturally because of that."

The player's performance also earned commendation from the rival manager, who stated he was the "standout opposition player" on the evening.

"I thought he was outstanding, his experience was evident to the front," said the former national manager.

"Regrettably, Mack was likely the best Australian player on the pitch. He's has a great skillset and he's such a strong contender."

Pressed about what enables the player a good fit at the number 15 position, the coach added: "Showing up in the middle of the field is something that he demonstrates from the flank regardless, but I suppose he's more in position for that more often.

"The player's high ball play was excellent, wasn't it? I thought we persisted of doing the correct thing and that was placing the possession again on them to secure field position.

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

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

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his return to the fly-half jersey, the scrum and throw-in operated smoothly and another player did not appear uncomfortable in his first appearance in the forwards.

But perhaps most satisfying for the manager was the team framing the match with multiple impressive periods.

Hansen's first two scores occurred in the first 11 moments while additional players scored in the closing exchanges after the other team had crossed, ensuring the Irish team finished on a high.

"In my opinion we truly let ourselves go and attacked the game straight from the word go," stated the coach.

"The way we handled various elements throughout the match, especially the opposition responding just before half-time and regathering ourselves and giving a display like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as field position and being across most of our strategy in that second half was truly pleasing."

The might of the Springboks are awaiting for the team, in what might be viewed as an informal conclusion to last year's tied two-Test contest on opposition territory.

The coach's team will need to attain a higher standard to beat the consecutive title holders, but the recent victory of the Australian team was a significant step in the right path after an disappointing beginning to their fall schedule.