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After their previous underwhelming showing against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell challenged his Irish squad to improve their game.

The team responded immediately.

Ireland had struggled in the final stages against New Zealand and taken considerable time to get going versus their Asian opponents.

However, against Australia, they began powerfully, with the talented back shining most prominently during a comprehensive victory that represented the team's finest performance this year.

In his first international start at the number 15 position, the player registered a hat-trick, competed excellently for aerial challenges and performed exceptionally against the country of his birth.

"You know, I've experienced a pretty difficult run with injuries really," the athlete commented.

"I longed for being in this squad, I understand there's considerable discussion about me not exactly being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this group and this seems like family.

"Any time I get to represent for the national team it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a good showing you may not receive that privilege again.

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

Coach declared: 'Excellent players require no justifications'

Following twenty-eight caps on the flank, the player was given the number 15 role for the first time with several teammates unavailable.

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

The 28-year-old had been in superb condition before physical issues disrupted his dream of making the international squad.

After come back last month, he suffered a lower body problem that made him unavailable for earlier fixtures.

The coach had indicated that Hansen was particularly determined and these proved not hollow statements as the ex- provincial player gave his coach a positive selection headache for upcoming matches.

"So my initial thoughts were, 'You need to play excellently in those different coloured boots!'," said Farrell, referring to Hansen's choice to sport mismatched boots.

"In fact I thought that was fitting but it seems Mack just did that himself regardless. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even started.

"I said to him before the game, 'Good players don't need justifications, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can win the man of the match if you want,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that type of player, he prepares well, he's has a excellent attitude to get across his detail and so that's why he slotted straight back in and he was able to perform naturally due to that."

The player's efforts also received commendation from the rival manager, who remarked he was the "exceptional opposition player" on the evening.

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

"Unfortunately, Mack was probably the best Australian performer on the pitch. He's got a excellent skillset and he's such a strong contender."

When asked about what enables Hansen a good fit at full-back, Farrell added: "Showing up in the middle of the pitch is a trait that he does from the wing regardless, but I suppose he's better in position for that frequently.

"His aerial play was excellent, wasn't it? I believed we didn't get bored 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 Mackie who was securing the balls returned, and additional players, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

Beyond the star performer, there were numerous encouraging aspects for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his return to the fly-half jersey, the scrum and throw-in functioned smoothly and another teammate did not appear out of place in his first appearance in the front row.

But possibly most pleasing for Farrell was Ireland framing the game with multiple impressive spells.

The player's initial two scores came in the first 11 moments while other players scored in the closing stages after the other team had scored, ensuring the Irish side concluded on a positive note.

"In my opinion we really performed freely and attacked the game straight from the beginning," said Farrell.

"The way we managed various aspects during the match, particularly them responding just before the break and regathering ourselves and producing a display like we did in the later stages, I believed as far as field position and being across most of our strategy in that second half was really satisfying."

The might of South Africa are awaiting for Ireland, in what might be viewed as an informal decider to the previous season's drawn multiple match series on opposition soil.

The coach's team will need to reach another standard to beat the back-to-back title holders, but Saturday's victory of the Wallabies was a important step in the correct path after an uninspiring beginning to their fall campaign.