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Following their previous underwhelming performance against Japan, Andy Farrell challenged his Ireland team to improve their game.

The team listened right away.

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

However, facing Australia, they began powerfully, with the talented back excelling most prominently during a 46-19 triumph that marked Ireland's best performance of the season.

Making his first international appearance at the number 15 position, the player scored a three tries, competed brilliantly for high balls and performed exceptionally against the country of his birth.

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

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

"Any time I get to play for Ireland it's a privilege, if you don't put in a performance you might not get that privilege again.

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

Manager stated: 'Excellent athletes require no justifications'

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

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

The experienced player had been in excellent form before injury ended his dream of joining the Test squad.

Having come back recently, he suffered a foot problem that ruled him out for earlier matches.

The coach had indicated that Hansen was especially determined and these proved not hollow statements as the former provincial player gave his coach a positive team headache for upcoming games.

"Well my initial thoughts were, 'You need to play well in those different colored shoes!'," commented Farrell, referring to the player's decision to sport mismatched boots.

"Actually I believed that was appropriate but apparently Hansen just made that personally regardless. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even started.

"I said to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes require no justifications, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can get the player of the game if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that type of player, he prepares well, he's got a great attitude to get across his detail and so that's why he slotted right back in and he was able to perform naturally due to that."

The player's performance also received commendation from the rival coach, who remarked he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the evening.

"I thought he was outstanding, his knowledge showed to the fore," said the former national coach.

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

Pressed about what enables Hansen a good fit at full-back, the coach added: "Showing up in the middle of the field is a trait that he demonstrates from the flank regardless, but I suppose he's more in position for that more often.

"His aerial play was excellent, wasn't it? I thought we persisted of doing the correct approach and that was putting the ball back on them to gain field position.

"Why that was the right strategy to do is since it's the likes of Mackie who was securing the balls back, and additional players, so [it's] quite satisfying."

Outside Hansen, there were numerous positives for the coach.

Another player was excellent on his return to the fly-half position, the scrum and throw-in operated smoothly and another player did not look uncomfortable in his debut appearance in the forwards.

But perhaps most pleasing for the manager was Ireland bookending the game with multiple strong spells.

The player's first two scores occurred in the opening eleven minutes while other teammates registered in the closing exchanges after the opposition had scored, guaranteeing the Irish team concluded on a high.

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

"The way we handled numerous elements throughout the match, particularly the opposition coming back just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and giving a display like we did in the later stages, I thought as far as field position and being across the majority of our game in that second half was really pleasing."

The might of the Springboks are next up for the team, in what might be viewed as an unofficial conclusion to the previous season's tied multiple match series on opposition territory.

The coach's team will require to reach another level to beat the back-to-back title holders, but the recent victory of the Wallabies was a significant advancement in the right direction after an uninspiring start to their fall schedule.