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Following their previous disappointing performance against Japan, the head coach challenged his Irish squad to step up their game.

The team listened immediately.

Ireland had struggled late against New Zealand and required considerable time to find their rhythm versus Japan.

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

In his debut test match appearance at the number 15 position, Hansen scored a hat-trick, contested brilliantly for high balls and played exceptionally against the country of his origin.

"You know, I've had a pretty challenging period with injuries honestly," Hansen stated.

"I longed for being in this squad, I understand there's much talk about me not exactly being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this team and this feels like family.

"Whenever I get to represent 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 approach this period was to go out and perform what I can do."

Coach declared: 'Excellent athletes don't need justifications'

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

In his case, it was essentially a case of picking up where he left off during the warmer months.

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

After returned recently, he suffered a lower body problem that made him unavailable for earlier matches.

The coach had suggested that Hansen was particularly motivated and these turned out to be not hollow statements as the ex- club player gave his coach a positive selection dilemma for upcoming games.

"So my first thoughts were, 'You need to play well in those two coloured boots!'," said the coach, alluding to Hansen's decision to wear mismatched footwear.

"Actually I thought that was appropriate but it seems Hansen just did that himself anyway. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the match, 'Excellent players require no justifications, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can get the man of the match if you want,' and he went, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"So he's that type of player, he trains thoroughly, he's has a excellent approach to get across his detail and thus that's why he fitted right back in and he was able to be himself due to that."

Hansen's efforts also earned praise from the rival coach, who remarked he was the "exceptional opposition player" on the evening.

"In my view he was outstanding, his experience showed to the fore," said the former national manager.

"Regrettably, Mack was probably the standout Australian performer on the field. He's has a great skillset and he's such a good competitor."

When asked about what enables the player a strong option at the number 15 position, Farrell added: "Appearing in the center of the field is a trait that he does from the flank anyway, but I suppose he's better in position for that more often.

"The player's high ball play was brilliant, don't you think? I thought we persisted of executing the right thing and that was placing the possession again on them to gain territory.

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

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

Another player was excellent on his return to the number 10 position, the set piece and line-out operated smoothly and another teammate did not appear uncomfortable in his first start in the front row.

But perhaps more satisfying for Farrell was Ireland framing the game with multiple strong spells.

Hansen's initial couple of tries occurred in the opening 11 minutes while additional teammates scored in the final exchanges after the opposition had crossed, ensuring the Irish side concluded on a high.

"I thought we really performed freely and approached the match straight from the beginning," stated Farrell.

"The way we handled numerous aspects during the game, particularly them coming back just before half-time and regathering ourselves and giving a performance like we achieved in the second half, I believed as far as territory and being across the majority of our strategy in that later period was truly satisfying."

The might of the Springboks are awaiting for the team, in what might be viewed as an informal conclusion to the previous season's tied two-Test series on opposition soil.

Farrell's side will need to attain a higher standard to beat the consecutive title holders, but Saturday's victory of the Wallabies was a significant advancement in the right direction after an disappointing start to their fall schedule.