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Following last week's underwhelming showing against Japan, the head coach challenged his Irish squad to step up their performance.

Ireland responded immediately.

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

However, against Australia, they began powerfully, with the talented back shining brightest during a 46-19 triumph that represented Ireland's finest performance this year.

In his first international appearance at full-back, Hansen scored a three tries, contested excellently for aerial challenges and played exceptionally against the country of his birth.

"Look, I've experienced a fairly difficult run with fitness issues honestly," the athlete commented.

"I longed for being in this squad, I understand there's much discussion about me not necessarily being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this group and this seems like family.

"Whenever I get to play for Ireland it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a good showing you might not get that opportunity again.

"My entire approach this period was to go out and perform what I could do."

Manager stated: 'Excellent players require no justifications'

Following twenty-eight caps on the flank, the player was entrusted the number 15 position for the first time with several players unavailable.

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

The experienced player had been in excellent form before injury ended his dream of making the international team.

Having returned recently, he developed a foot injury that made him unavailable for previous fixtures.

The coach had indicated that the player was particularly determined and these proved not hollow statements as the ex- provincial player gave his manager a welcome selection dilemma for future matches.

"Well my initial thoughts were, 'You better perform well in those different colored shoes!'," commented Farrell, referring to Hansen's decision to wear different footwear.

"Actually I thought that was fitting but it seems Mack just did that personally anyway. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even started.

"I said to him before the game, 'Good players don't need justifications, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can get the player of the game if you choose,' and he went, 'Yes, I concur.'

"So he's that type of player, he trains well, he's got a excellent attitude to get across his preparation and so that's why he slotted right back in and he was able to be himself due to that."

The player's efforts also earned commendation from the opposing manager, who remarked he was the "exceptional Australian performer" on the evening.

"I thought he was super, his experience was evident to the front," commented the former international coach.

"Regrettably, Mack was probably the best opposition performer on the field. He's got a excellent skillset and he's such a strong competitor."

When asked about what enables Hansen a good fit at the number 15 position, Farrell continued: "Appearing in the middle of the field is something that he demonstrates from the wing anyway, but I suppose he's more in place for that frequently.

"The player's high ball play was excellent, wasn't it? I thought we persisted of doing the correct approach and that was putting the possession again on them to secure territory.

"Why that was the right thing to do is because it's the players of Hansen who was getting the possessions back, and other players, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

Outside the star performer, there were numerous positives for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his comeback to the fly-half jersey, the set piece and line-out operated smoothly and different player did not look uncomfortable in his first start in the forwards.

But perhaps more satisfying for the manager was Ireland bookending the match with two impressive periods.

Hansen's initial two tries came in the first 11 moments while other teammates scored in the closing stages after the opposition had crossed, guaranteeing the home team concluded on a positive note.

"In my opinion we truly performed freely and attacked the match straight from the beginning," stated Farrell.

"The way we managed numerous aspects during the match, especially the opposition responding just before half-time and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we did in the later stages, I thought as far as territory and being familiar with most of our game in that later period was really pleasing."

The strength of the Springboks are next up for Ireland, in what could be viewed as an informal conclusion to the previous season's tied multiple match series on rival soil.

Farrell's side will require to reach another standard to beat the consecutive title holders, but Saturday's defeat of the Wallabies was a important advancement in the right direction after an disappointing start to their fall schedule.