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Following their previous underwhelming performance against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell told his Ireland squad to step up their performance.

Ireland responded right away.

Ireland had faded in the final stages against New Zealand and required considerable time to find their rhythm versus Japan.

However, against the Wallabies, they started strongly, with the talented back excelling brightest during a 46-19 victory that represented the team's best performance of the season.

In his debut international appearance at the number 15 position, Hansen scored a hat-trick, competed excellently for aerial challenges and played outstandingly against the nation of his birth.

"Look, I've had a fairly difficult run with fitness issues really," Hansen stated.

"I longed for being in this team, I know there's much discussion about me not exactly being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this group and this seems like family.

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

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

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

After 28 caps on the wing, the player was entrusted the number 15 role for the first time with multiple teammates injured.

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

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

Having returned last month, he developed a foot problem that ruled him out for previous fixtures.

The coach had indicated that Hansen was especially motivated and these proved not empty words as the former club player gave his manager a welcome selection dilemma for upcoming matches.

"Well my initial reaction were, 'You better perform excellently in those different coloured boots!'," commented the coach, referring to the player's decision to sport mismatched footwear.

"In fact I thought that was fitting but it seems Mack just made that personally regardless. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the game, 'Excellent players don't need justifications, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can get the man of the match if you choose,' and he went, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that kind of player, he trains thoroughly, he's got a excellent approach to understand his detail and thus that's why he fitted right into the team and he was able to be himself because of that."

Hansen's performance also received praise from the opposing coach, who remarked he was the "standout Australian performer" on the night.

"In my view he was outstanding, his knowledge was evident to the front," commented the former national coach.

"Regrettably, Mack was probably the best opposition performer on the field. He's got a excellent ability and he's such a good contender."

Pressed about what makes Hansen a strong option at full-back, Farrell continued: "Appearing in the middle of the field is a trait that he demonstrates from the flank regardless, but I suppose he's better in position for that more often.

"His aerial play was brilliant, wasn't it? I believed we persisted of doing the correct thing and that was placing the ball again on them to gain territory.

"Why that was the right strategy to do is because it's the likes of Hansen who was securing the possessions returned, and other teammates, so [it's] quite satisfying."

Beyond Hansen, there were numerous encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Another player was outstanding on his return to the fly-half position, the set piece and throw-in operated effectively and another teammate did not look out of place in his first start in the forwards.

But possibly more pleasing for Farrell was Ireland bookending the match with multiple impressive spells.

Hansen's first two tries occurred in the first eleven moments while other players registered in the closing exchanges after the other team had crossed, guaranteeing the home side concluded on a high.

"In my opinion we truly performed freely and approached the game right from the beginning," said the coach.

"The way we managed numerous aspects throughout the game, especially the opposition coming back just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and producing a display like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as field position and being familiar with the majority of our strategy in that later period was truly pleasing."

The strength of South Africa are awaiting for Ireland, in what could be considered as an unofficial conclusion to last year's drawn two-Test series on opposition territory.

Farrell's side will need to attain another standard to beat the consecutive title holders, but the recent victory of the Australian team was a important advancement in the correct path after an disappointing beginning to their fall schedule.