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Following their previous disappointing showing against Japan, the head coach challenged his Irish team to improve their game.

The team listened immediately.

Ireland had faded late against the All Blacks and required most of the match to get going versus Japan.

However, against Australia, they started powerfully, with the talented back excelling most prominently during a comprehensive victory that represented the team's finest performance of the season.

Making his first test match appearance at full-back, Hansen registered a hat-trick, competed excellently for aerial challenges and played exceptionally against the nation of his birth.

"Look, I've had a fairly challenging run with injuries really," Hansen stated.

"I missed being in this squad, I know there's much talk about me not necessarily being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this group and this feels like family.

"Whenever I have to play for Ireland it's a honor, if you don't put in a performance you may not receive that privilege again.

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

Manager stated: 'Good players require no excuses'

After 28 appearances on the wing, the player was given the number 15 role for the initial time with multiple teammates injured.

In his case, it was essentially a case of continuing where he left off during the summer.

The experienced player had been in superb condition before physical issues ended his dream of making the Test team.

After come back recently, he suffered a foot injury that ruled him out for earlier fixtures.

Farrell had indicated that Hansen was especially motivated and these turned out to be not hollow statements as the former club player gave his coach a positive selection dilemma for upcoming games.

"So my first thoughts were, 'You need to perform well in those two colored shoes!'," commented the coach, alluding to the player's decision to wear mismatched boots.

"In fact I believed that was fitting but apparently Hansen just did that personally anyway. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even started.

"I said to him before the match, 'Excellent players require no excuses, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can win the man of the match if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yes, I agree.'

"So he's that type of performer, he trains well, he's got a excellent attitude to get across his preparation and so that's why he fitted right back in and he was capable to be himself due to that."

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

"I thought he was outstanding, his experience showed to the fore," said the ex- national manager.

"Regrettably, Mack was probably the best opposition player on the field. He's got a great skillset and he's such a strong competitor."

Pressed about what enables Hansen a good option at full-back, Farrell added: "Showing up in the middle of the pitch is something that he demonstrates from the flank anyway, but I suppose he's better in position for that frequently.

"The player's high ball work was brilliant, wasn't it? I thought we didn't get bored of doing the right thing and that was putting the ball back on them to secure field position.

"The reason that was the correct strategy to do is since it's the likes of Mackie who was securing the possessions back, and other teammates, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

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

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his return to the fly-half jersey, the set piece and line-out operated smoothly and different player did not look uncomfortable in his debut start in the front row.

But possibly more pleasing for Farrell was Ireland framing the match with two impressive spells.

Hansen's first two tries came in the opening 11 moments while other teammates registered in the final exchanges after the opposition had scored, guaranteeing the Irish side concluded on a positive note.

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

"The way we managed numerous elements throughout the match, especially them responding just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and giving a display like we achieved in the second half, I believed as far as territory and being across most of our strategy in that second half was really pleasing."

The strength of South Africa are awaiting for Ireland, in what could be considered as an informal conclusion to last year's tied multiple match contest on rival soil.

Farrell's side will need to reach a higher standard to beat the consecutive title holders, but the recent defeat of the Australian team was a significant step in the right direction after an disappointing beginning to their autumn schedule.