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After last week's underwhelming performance against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell challenged his Irish squad to improve their performance.

The team listened immediately.

Ireland had faded in the final stages against New Zealand and required considerable time to get going versus Japan.

However, against Australia, they started powerfully, with the talented back shining brightest during a 46-19 triumph that marked the team's best performance of the season.

Making his first international start at the number 15 position, Hansen registered a three tries, contested brilliantly for aerial challenges and played outstandingly against the nation of his birth.

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

"I missed being in this team, I know there's much talk about me not exactly being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this group and this seems like family.

"Whenever I have to represent for Ireland it's a privilege, if you fail to deliver a performance you might not get that opportunity again.

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

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

Following 28 appearances on the flank, Hansen was given the full-back position for the first time with several players injured.

For him, it was simply a matter of continuing where he left off during the warmer months.

The experienced player had been in excellent condition before physical issues disrupted his aspiration of joining the Test team.

Having returned last month, he developed a lower body problem that made him unavailable for previous fixtures.

The coach had indicated that the player was particularly determined and these turned out to be not hollow words as the former club player gave his manager a positive team headache for upcoming matches.

"Well my initial reaction were, 'You better perform well in those two coloured boots!'," said Farrell, alluding to the player's decision to sport mismatched boots.

"Actually I thought that was appropriate but apparently Mack just made that himself regardless. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even started.

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

"Therefore he's that kind of player, he prepares thoroughly, he's has a excellent attitude 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 commendation from the opposing manager, who remarked he was the "exceptional Australian performer" on the night.

"I thought he was super, his knowledge showed to the front," commented the former national coach.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was likely the standout opposition player on the field. He's got a great ability and he's such a good contender."

When asked about what enables Hansen a strong option at full-back, the coach added: "Showing up in the center of the pitch is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing regardless, but I imagine he's better in position for that frequently.

"His high ball work was excellent, wasn't it? I believed we persisted of doing the right thing and that was putting the possession back on them to secure territory.

"Why that was the right strategy to do is because it's the players of Hansen who was getting the possessions back, and additional teammates, so [it's] quite satisfying."

Outside Hansen, there were numerous encouraging aspects for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his comeback to the number 10 position, the scrum and line-out functioned smoothly and different teammate did not look out of place in his first start in the front row.

But possibly more pleasing for Farrell was Ireland bookending the game with two impressive periods.

The player's initial couple of tries came in the opening eleven minutes while additional players scored in the final stages after the opposition had scored, guaranteeing the Irish side concluded on a high.

"In my opinion we really performed freely and approached the game right from the beginning," stated Farrell.

"How we managed numerous elements throughout the game, especially them responding just before half-time and regathering ourselves and giving a display like we achieved in the later stages, I believed as far as field position and being familiar with the majority of our strategy in that later period was truly pleasing."

The might of South Africa are awaiting for the team, in what could be viewed as an informal conclusion to the previous season's tied multiple match contest on opposition soil.

The coach's side will require to reach a higher standard to beat the back-to-back world champions, but Saturday's victory of the Wallabies was a significant step in the right direction after an disappointing beginning to their autumn campaign.