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

Ireland listened immediately.

Ireland had struggled in the final stages against the All Blacks and taken most of the match to get going versus their Asian opponents.

However, facing Australia, they began strongly, with the talented back excelling most prominently during a 46-19 victory that represented the team's best performance this year.

Making his debut test match appearance at full-back, Hansen registered a hat-trick, competed brilliantly for aerial challenges and performed outstandingly against the nation of his birth.

"Look, I've had a fairly challenging period with injuries honestly," Hansen commented.

"I missed being in this team, I know there's much discussion about me not necessarily being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this team and this feels like home.

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

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

Coach stated: 'Good athletes require no excuses'

After 28 caps on the wing, Hansen was given the number 15 position for the first time with several teammates injured.

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

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

Having returned last month, he developed a foot injury that made him unavailable for previous matches.

The coach had suggested that the player was especially determined and these proved not empty statements as the ex- club player gave his coach a positive team headache for future games.

"So my first reaction were, 'You better perform excellently in those different coloured boots!'," said the coach, alluding to Hansen's decision to sport different footwear.

"In fact I thought that was appropriate but apparently Mack just did that personally anyway. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even started.

"I said to him before the game, 'Good athletes require no justifications, they can perform and just play naturally, you can win the man of the match if you want,' and he responded, 'Yes, I concur.'

"So he's that type of performer, he trains thoroughly, he's got a great approach to understand his preparation and thus that's why he fitted straight into the team and he was capable to be himself because of that."

Hansen's efforts also received commendation from the rival coach, who remarked he was the "exceptional Australian performer" on the evening.

"In my view he was outstanding, his experience showed to the fore," said the ex- international manager.

"Regrettably, Mack was probably the best opposition performer on the pitch. He's got a excellent skillset and he's such a strong competitor."

Pressed about what enables the player a strong option at full-back, the coach continued: "Showing up in the middle of the field is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing regardless, but I imagine he's better in place for that more often.

"His high ball work was excellent, don't you think? I thought we persisted of doing the right thing and that was putting the ball back on them to secure territory.

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

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

Another player was excellent on his comeback to the number 10 jersey, the scrum and throw-in functioned smoothly and another player did not appear uncomfortable in his first start in the front row.

But possibly most satisfying for Farrell was Ireland bookending the game with multiple impressive spells.

Hansen's first couple of scores occurred in the first eleven minutes while other teammates scored in the closing stages after the opposition had crossed, guaranteeing the Irish side concluded on a high.

"In my opinion we really let ourselves go and approached the match straight from the beginning," said the coach.

"The way we managed numerous elements throughout the game, especially the opposition responding just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and producing a performance like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as territory and being across the majority of our strategy in that later period was really pleasing."

The might of the Springboks are next up for Ireland, in what might be viewed as an unofficial decider to last year's tied two-Test series on rival territory.

Farrell's team will require to attain another level to beat the consecutive title holders, but Saturday's victory of the Australian team was a important advancement in the right direction after an disappointing beginning to their fall schedule.