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

The team responded right away.

The Irish side had struggled in the final stages against New Zealand and taken most of the match to get going versus Japan.

However, facing Australia, they started strongly, with the talented back shining brightest during a 46-19 victory that represented Ireland's best display of the season.

In his first test match start at the number 15 position, Hansen scored a hat-trick, competed excellently for high balls and performed exceptionally against the country of his origin.

"You know, I've experienced a fairly difficult run with injuries honestly," Hansen stated.

"I longed for 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 group and this seems like home.

"Whenever I get to represent for the national team it's a privilege, if you don't put in a good showing you may not get that privilege again.

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

Manager stated: 'Good athletes require no justifications'

After twenty-eight caps on the flank, Hansen was entrusted the number 15 position for the first time with multiple teammates injured.

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

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

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

Farrell had suggested that the player was particularly determined and these turned out to be not empty words as the ex- club player gave his coach a welcome team dilemma for upcoming matches.

"Well my initial thoughts were, 'You better play well in those different coloured shoes!'," said the coach, alluding to the player's decision to sport mismatched footwear.

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

"I told to him before the game, 'Good players require no excuses, they can perform and just be themselves, you can win the player of the game if you want,' and he responded, 'Yes, I concur.'

"So he's that kind of performer, he prepares thoroughly, he's got a great attitude to get across his preparation and thus that's why he fitted straight into the team and he was capable to be himself due to that."

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

"In my view he was super, his experience was evident to the fore," said the former international manager.

"Unfortunately, Mack was likely the best Australian player on the field. He's got a great ability and he's such a good contender."

Pressed about what enables Hansen a strong option at the number 15 position, Farrell added: "Showing up in the center of the field is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing anyway, but I suppose he's more in position for that frequently.

"The player's high ball work was excellent, wasn't it? I believed we persisted of executing the right thing and that was placing the ball again on them to secure territory.

"The reason that was the correct strategy to do is because it's the players of Hansen who was getting the possessions back, and other players, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Beyond Hansen, there were multiple encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Another player was excellent on his comeback to the fly-half jersey, the set piece and throw-in operated smoothly and different player did not appear out of place in his first start in the forwards.

But possibly most satisfying for Farrell was the team bookending the match with multiple impressive spells.

Hansen's initial two tries occurred in the opening eleven minutes while other players scored in the closing stages after the other team had crossed, ensuring the home side finished on a high.

"In my opinion we truly let ourselves go and attacked the match right from the word go," said the coach.

"How we handled numerous elements throughout the match, particularly them responding just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and producing a display like we did in the later stages, I believed as far as field position and being familiar with most of our strategy in that later period was truly pleasing."

The strength of the Springboks are awaiting for Ireland, in what could be considered as an informal decider to last year's tied two-Test series on opposition territory.

Farrell's team will need to attain a higher standard to defeat the back-to-back title holders, but Saturday's defeat of the Wallabies was a important advancement in the right direction after an disappointing start to their fall campaign.