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Following last week's disappointing performance against Japan, the head coach told his Ireland squad to improve their game.

The team responded right away.

The Irish side had struggled late against New Zealand and required considerable time to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, facing the Wallabies, they began powerfully, with the talented back excelling brightest during a 46-19 victory that marked the team's best performance this year.

Making his first test match start at the number 15 position, Hansen scored a three tries, competed brilliantly for high balls and performed exceptionally against the nation of his origin.

"Look, I've experienced a pretty challenging period with injuries really," Hansen commented.

"I missed being in this squad, I know there's considerable discussion about me not exactly being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this group and this seems like home.

"Any time I have to represent for Ireland it's a honor, if you don't put in a good showing you might not receive that opportunity again.

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

Manager declared: 'Good athletes don't need justifications'

After twenty-eight caps on the wing, Hansen was given the number 15 role for the initial time with multiple teammates unavailable.

For him, it was essentially a case of picking up where he left off during the warmer months.

The 28-year-old had been in superb form before physical issues ended his dream of making the Test squad.

Having returned recently, he developed a foot injury that ruled him out for earlier matches.

The coach had suggested that the player was especially determined and these proved not hollow statements as the former provincial player gave his coach a positive team dilemma for future matches.

"Well my initial reaction were, 'You better play excellently in those different coloured shoes!'," said Farrell, alluding to the player's decision to sport mismatched boots.

"In fact I thought that was appropriate but apparently Mack just made that himself anyway. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes don't need excuses, they can perform and just be themselves, you can win the player of the game if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yes, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that kind of player, he trains well, he's has a excellent approach to understand his detail and thus that's why he fitted straight into the team and he was able to perform naturally due to that."

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

"In my view he was outstanding, his knowledge was evident to the fore," said the ex- international manager.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was likely the best opposition performer on the field. He's got a great skillset and he's such a strong contender."

When asked about what makes Hansen a good fit at full-back, Farrell continued: "Showing up in the center of the field is a trait that he does from the flank anyway, but I imagine he's more in position for that frequently.

"The player's aerial work was brilliant, don't you think? I believed we didn't get bored of executing the right approach and that was placing the ball again on them to secure field position.

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

Outside Hansen, there were multiple positives for Farrell.

Another player was outstanding on his return to the number 10 jersey, the set piece and throw-in functioned smoothly and another player did not appear uncomfortable in his debut appearance in the front row.

But perhaps more satisfying for the manager was Ireland framing the game with multiple impressive periods.

Hansen's first two tries occurred in the opening eleven minutes while other teammates registered in the final stages after the opposition had crossed, guaranteeing the Irish side finished on a positive note.

"In my opinion we truly let ourselves go and approached the game straight from the beginning," said Farrell.

"How we handled numerous aspects during the match, especially them coming back just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and producing a performance like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as field position and being across most of our game in that later period was truly satisfying."

The strength of South Africa are awaiting for the team, in what could be viewed as an informal conclusion to last year's tied two-Test contest on rival territory.

Farrell's team will need to attain a higher standard to defeat the back-to-back world champions, but the recent victory of the Australian team was a significant step in the correct direction after an disappointing beginning to their autumn schedule.