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After their previous underwhelming showing against Japan, the head coach challenged his Ireland team to step up their game.

The team listened immediately.

The Irish side had faded in the final stages against the All Blacks and required most of the match to get going versus Japan.

However, against the Wallabies, they began strongly, with the talented back excelling brightest during a comprehensive victory that marked the team's finest display of the season.

Making his first test match appearance at the number 15 position, Hansen scored a three tries, competed excellently for high balls and played outstandingly against the nation of his origin.

"You know, I've experienced a pretty difficult period with fitness issues honestly," Hansen stated.

"I longed for being in this team, I know there's considerable talk about me not necessarily being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this team and this feels like home.

"Any time I have to play for Ireland it's a privilege, if you fail to deliver a performance you might not receive that privilege again.

"My entire approach this week was to take the field and perform what I can do."

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

After twenty-eight appearances on the wing, Hansen was entrusted the number 15 position for the initial time with several teammates injured.

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

The 28-year-old had been in excellent form before physical issues ended his dream of joining the international squad.

After come back last month, he suffered a foot problem that ruled him out for previous fixtures.

Farrell had indicated that the player was especially determined and these turned out to be not empty statements as the former club player gave his manager a positive selection headache for future games.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You need to play well in those different coloured shoes!'," commented Farrell, alluding to the player's decision to sport mismatched footwear.

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

"I said to him before the game, 'Excellent athletes don't need excuses, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can get the man of the match if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yes, I concur.'

"So he's that type of performer, he prepares well, he's has a excellent attitude to understand his detail and so that's why he fitted straight into the team and he was capable to be himself due to that."

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

"In my view he was super, his knowledge was evident to the front," said the former international coach.

"Unfortunately, Mack was probably the standout Australian player on the pitch. He's got a great skillset and he's such a good contender."

Pressed about what enables the player a strong option at the number 15 position, Farrell continued: "Appearing in the center of the field is something that he does from the wing regardless, but I imagine he's better in position for that frequently.

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

"Why that was the correct thing to do is because it's the players of Hansen who was securing the balls back, and other teammates, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Beyond Hansen, there were numerous positives for Farrell.

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

But possibly most satisfying for the manager was Ireland bookending the game with multiple impressive periods.

The player's initial couple of scores came in the opening eleven moments while additional teammates registered in the final exchanges after the opposition had scored, guaranteeing the Irish team concluded on a high.

"I thought we truly performed freely and attacked the match right from the beginning," stated the coach.

"How we handled numerous elements during the match, particularly them responding just before the break and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we achieved in the later stages, I thought as far as field position and being familiar with the majority of our game in that later period was truly satisfying."

The might of the Springboks are awaiting for the team, in what could be viewed as an informal conclusion to last year's tied multiple match series on opposition soil.

The coach's side will require to reach a higher level to beat the consecutive world champions, but Saturday's defeat of the Wallabies was a important advancement in the right path after an disappointing beginning to their fall campaign.