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

Ireland responded right away.

Ireland had faded late against the All Blacks and required considerable time to find their rhythm versus Japan.

Nevertheless, facing Australia, they began powerfully, with the talented back excelling most prominently during a 46-19 triumph that represented Ireland's finest display this year.

Making his debut international start at full-back, Hansen registered a three tries, contested brilliantly for aerial challenges and performed outstandingly against the country of his origin.

"Look, I've experienced a pretty difficult run with injuries really," the athlete stated.

"I missed being in this squad, I understand there's much discussion about me not necessarily being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this group and this feels like family.

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

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

Coach declared: 'Good players don't need excuses'

Following twenty-eight appearances on the flank, Hansen was given the full-back role for the first time with several teammates injured.

For him, it was simply a matter of picking up where he finished during the summer.

The 28-year-old had been in superb form before injury disrupted his aspiration of joining the international squad.

Having come back recently, he developed a lower body problem that made him unavailable for earlier fixtures.

The coach had indicated that Hansen was especially motivated and these turned out to be not hollow statements as the ex- provincial player gave his manager a positive team dilemma for future matches.

"So my initial thoughts were, 'You better perform well in those different colored shoes!'," commented the coach, alluding to the player's decision to wear different footwear.

"In fact I thought that was fitting but apparently Mack just made that himself anyway. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes don't need justifications, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can win the man of the match if you choose,' and he went, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that kind of player, he trains well, he's got a excellent attitude to get across his detail and so that's why he slotted right into the team and he was able to perform naturally due to that."

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

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

"Regrettably, Hansen was likely the best opposition player on the pitch. He's got a excellent skillset and he's such a strong competitor."

When asked about what enables Hansen a good option at full-back, Farrell added: "Showing up in the middle of the field is a trait that he does from the wing regardless, but I suppose he's better in place for that more often.

"The player's aerial work was excellent, wasn't it? I believed we persisted of doing the correct approach and that was placing the ball again on them to secure field position.

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

Beyond the star performer, there were numerous encouraging aspects for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his return to the fly-half position, the set piece and line-out operated smoothly and different teammate did not appear out of place in his debut start in the front row.

But possibly most satisfying for the manager was Ireland framing the game with multiple impressive spells.

Hansen's first couple of scores occurred in the first eleven minutes while additional players scored in the final stages after the other team had scored, ensuring the home team finished on a positive note.

"I thought we really let ourselves go and attacked the match straight from the beginning," said Farrell.

"How we handled numerous elements throughout the match, especially the opposition responding just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and producing a performance like we did in the second half, I thought as far as field position and being familiar with the majority of our strategy in that later period was really pleasing."

The might of the Springboks are awaiting for the team, in what might be considered as an informal conclusion to last year's drawn two-Test contest on opposition soil.

The coach's side will need to attain a higher level to defeat the back-to-back title holders, but the recent defeat of the Wallabies was a significant step in the right path after an disappointing start to their autumn schedule.