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After their previous underwhelming performance against Japan, Andy Farrell challenged his Ireland squad to step up their performance.

The team responded right away.

The Irish side had struggled in the final stages against New Zealand and taken most of the match to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, against the Wallabies, they started powerfully, with the talented back shining most prominently during a 46-19 victory that marked the team's best display this year.

In his first test match start at full-back, Hansen registered a three tries, competed brilliantly for high balls and played outstandingly against the nation of his birth.

"Look, I've experienced a fairly challenging period with injuries honestly," the athlete commented.

"I missed being in this squad, I know there's much talk about me not necessarily being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this team and this seems like home.

"Any time I have to represent for Ireland it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a good showing you may not receive that opportunity again.

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

Coach stated: 'Excellent players don't need excuses'

After twenty-eight appearances on the flank, the player was given the number 15 role for the first time with multiple players injured.

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

The 28-year-old had been in excellent condition before injury disrupted his dream of making the Test squad.

Having come back last month, he suffered a lower body problem that made him unavailable for previous fixtures.

Farrell had indicated that the player was particularly motivated and these proved not empty statements as the ex- provincial player gave his manager a welcome team dilemma for upcoming games.

"Well my initial reaction were, 'You need to perform well in those two coloured boots!'," commented the coach, alluding to the player's choice to sport different boots.

"Actually I believed that was fitting but it seems Hansen just did that personally regardless. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I said to him before the match, 'Excellent players don't need excuses, they can perform and just be themselves, you can win the man of the match if you choose,' and he went, 'Yes, I concur.'

"So he's that kind of performer, he trains well, he's has a great attitude to understand his detail and thus that's why he slotted right back in and he was able to be himself because of that."

The player's efforts also earned commendation from the opposing coach, who remarked he was the "exceptional Australian player" on the night.

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

"Regrettably, Mack was likely the standout opposition performer on the field. He's has a excellent skillset and he's such a strong contender."

When asked about what enables Hansen a good option at the number 15 position, Farrell added: "Showing up in the middle of the pitch is something that he does from the flank anyway, but I suppose he's more in place for that more often.

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

"The reason that was the correct strategy to do is since it's the likes of Mackie who was getting the possessions returned, and additional teammates, so [it's] quite satisfying."

Outside the star performer, there were multiple positives for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his comeback to the fly-half position, the set piece and throw-in functioned effectively and different teammate did not appear out of place in his debut start in the front row.

But perhaps more pleasing for the manager was Ireland bookending the match with multiple strong periods.

Hansen's initial couple of scores came in the opening 11 moments while other teammates registered in the final exchanges after the opposition had scored, ensuring the home team concluded on a high.

"I thought we truly performed freely and approached the game right from the word go," stated Farrell.

"The way we handled various elements during the match, particularly them responding just before the break and regathering ourselves and producing a display like we achieved in the second half, I believed as far as field position and being familiar with most of our game in that later period was truly pleasing."

The might of the Springboks are next up for Ireland, in what might be viewed as an informal decider to last year's tied multiple match contest on opposition territory.

The coach's team will require to attain another standard to beat the consecutive title holders, but Saturday's victory of the Wallabies was a significant advancement in the correct direction after an uninspiring beginning to their autumn schedule.