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After their previous underwhelming performance against the Japanese team, the head coach told his Irish squad to step up their performance.

Ireland listened immediately.

Ireland had struggled late against New Zealand and taken considerable time to get going versus their Asian opponents.

However, against the Wallabies, they began powerfully, with the talented back excelling brightest during a comprehensive victory that represented the team's best display of the season.

Making his first test match appearance at full-back, the player registered a hat-trick, contested brilliantly for aerial challenges and played exceptionally against the country of his origin.

"Look, I've had a pretty challenging run with fitness issues honestly," the athlete stated.

"I longed for being in this team, I understand there's much discussion about me not exactly being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this group and this feels like family.

"Any time I have to play for the national team it's a honor, if you don't put in a performance you may not receive that privilege again.

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

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

After 28 appearances on the wing, Hansen was given the number 15 position for the initial time with multiple teammates unavailable.

For him, it was simply a case of continuing where he left off during the summer.

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

After returned recently, he developed a lower body injury that made him unavailable for previous fixtures.

The coach had suggested that Hansen was particularly determined and these proved not empty words as the ex- club player gave his manager a welcome team headache for future matches.

"Well my initial reaction were, 'You better play excellently in those different coloured boots!'," commented Farrell, alluding to Hansen's decision to wear different footwear.

"Actually I thought that was appropriate but it seems Mack just did that himself regardless. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I said to him before the game, 'Good athletes require no excuses, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can get the player of the game if you want,' and he responded, 'Yes, I agree.'

"So he's that kind of performer, he prepares well, he's got a great approach to understand his detail and thus that's why he slotted straight back in and he was able to perform naturally due to that."

Hansen's efforts also earned commendation from the opposing coach, who remarked he was the "exceptional opposition player" on the evening.

"I thought he was outstanding, his knowledge was evident to the fore," commented the ex- international coach.

"Regrettably, Mack was likely the standout Australian player on the pitch. He's has a great skillset and he's such a good contender."

When asked about what enables Hansen a good fit at full-back, Farrell continued: "Showing up in the middle of the pitch is something that he does from the flank regardless, but I imagine he's more in place for that frequently.

"His aerial play was brilliant, wasn't it? I thought we persisted of executing the correct thing and that was putting the ball back on them to secure field position.

"Why that was the correct thing to do is because it's the players of Mackie who was securing the balls back, and additional teammates, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

Beyond the star performer, there were multiple positives for Farrell.

Another player was excellent on his return to the number 10 position, the set piece and line-out operated smoothly and different teammate did not look uncomfortable in his debut start in the forwards.

But perhaps most pleasing for the manager was the team framing the match with two impressive periods.

Hansen's first couple of scores came in the opening eleven minutes while additional teammates registered in the closing exchanges after the other team had crossed, ensuring the Irish team finished on a positive note.

"I thought we truly performed freely and approached the match straight from the beginning," stated Farrell.

"The way we handled various aspects during the game, especially the opposition responding just before the break and regathering ourselves and giving a display like we achieved in the later stages, I thought as far as territory and being across the majority of our strategy in that later period was really satisfying."

The might of the Springboks are awaiting for Ireland, in what might be viewed as an informal decider to last year's drawn multiple match series on rival territory.

The coach's team will require to reach another standard to defeat the consecutive world champions, but Saturday's defeat of the Australian team was a important step in the right path after an uninspiring start to their autumn campaign.