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Following their previous underwhelming showing against the Japanese team, the head coach challenged his Ireland squad to step up their performance.

The team listened immediately.

The Irish side had struggled late against New Zealand and taken considerable time to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

However, against the Wallabies, they started powerfully, with the talented back shining brightest during a comprehensive victory that marked the team's best display of the season.

In his first international appearance at full-back, the player scored a three tries, competed excellently for aerial challenges and played exceptionally against the nation of his origin.

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

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

"Whenever I get to represent for the national team it's a privilege, if you fail to deliver a performance you may not get that privilege again.

"My entire focus this period was to take the field and perform what I could do."

Coach stated: 'Good players require no justifications'

Following twenty-eight caps on the flank, Hansen was entrusted the number 15 role for the initial time with multiple teammates injured.

In his case, it was simply a matter of picking up where he finished during the warmer months.

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

Having returned recently, he suffered a foot injury that made him unavailable for earlier fixtures.

Farrell had suggested that Hansen was especially determined and these proved not hollow words as the former provincial player gave his manager a positive selection headache for upcoming games.

"So my first reaction were, 'You need to perform well in those two coloured boots!'," said Farrell, alluding to Hansen's choice to sport different footwear.

"In fact I believed that was fitting but it seems Hansen just did that himself anyway. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the game, 'Excellent players require no justifications, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can get the man of the match if you want,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that type of performer, he prepares thoroughly, he's got a excellent approach to get across his detail and thus that's why he slotted right into the team and he was able to be himself because of that."

The player's performance also earned praise from the opposing manager, who stated he was the "standout Australian player" on the night.

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

"Unfortunately, Mack was probably the best opposition player on the field. He's got a great skillset and he's such a good contender."

Pressed about what enables the player a strong option at full-back, Farrell added: "Appearing in the middle of the pitch is something that he demonstrates from the flank anyway, but I imagine he's better in place for that more often.

"His high ball work was excellent, don't you think? I thought we persisted of doing the right approach and that was placing the possession again on them to gain field position.

"The reason that was the right thing to do is because it's the players of Hansen who was getting the possessions returned, and other players, so [it's] quite satisfying."

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

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his comeback to the fly-half position, the scrum and line-out functioned smoothly and different player did not appear out of place in his debut start in the forwards.

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

Hansen's first two tries occurred in the opening 11 moments while other players registered in the final stages after the opposition had crossed, guaranteeing the home side concluded on a positive note.

"In my opinion we really performed freely and attacked the game straight from the word go," said the coach.

"How we handled various aspects throughout the match, especially them coming back just before the break and regathering ourselves and giving a display like we did in the second half, I believed as far as field position and being across most of our strategy in that second half was really satisfying."

The might of South Africa are awaiting for the team, in what could be viewed as an informal decider to the previous season's drawn two-Test series on opposition territory.

The coach's side will need to reach a higher level to defeat the consecutive world champions, but the recent defeat of the Wallabies was a significant advancement in the correct direction after an disappointing beginning to their autumn campaign.