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After last week's underwhelming showing against Japan, the head coach challenged his Irish squad to improve their game.

Ireland responded right away.

Ireland had struggled in the final stages against New Zealand and required considerable time to get going versus Japan.

However, facing Australia, they began powerfully, with the talented back shining brightest during a 46-19 victory that represented Ireland's finest display of the season.

Making his debut international start at the number 15 position, Hansen registered a three tries, contested brilliantly for aerial challenges and performed outstandingly against the country of his birth.

"You know, I've had a pretty challenging run with fitness issues really," the athlete commented.

"I missed being in this team, I know there's considerable discussion about me not necessarily being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this group and this seems like home.

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

"My entire approach this week was to go out and perform what I can do."

Manager declared: 'Good players require no justifications'

Following twenty-eight appearances on the flank, Hansen was given the full-back position for the initial time with multiple players unavailable.

In his case, it was simply a matter of continuing where he left off during the summer.

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

After returned recently, he suffered a foot injury that ruled him out for previous matches.

The coach had suggested that Hansen was especially motivated and these turned out to be not empty words as the ex- club player gave his manager a positive team dilemma for future matches.

"So my initial thoughts were, 'You need to perform excellently in those two coloured boots!'," said Farrell, alluding to the player's decision to sport different footwear.

"Actually I believed that was fitting but apparently Mack just made that personally regardless. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the game, 'Good players require no justifications, they can perform and just be themselves, you can win the man of the match if you want,' and he went, 'Yes, I concur.'

"So he's that type of player, he trains well, he's got a great approach to get across his detail and thus that's why he fitted straight into the team and he was capable to be himself because of that."

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

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

"Unfortunately, Hansen was probably the best opposition player on the pitch. He's has a excellent ability and he's such a good contender."

Pressed about what makes Hansen a good fit at the number 15 position, Farrell continued: "Appearing in the center of the pitch is something that he does from the flank anyway, but I imagine he's better in place for that frequently.

"The player's aerial work was excellent, don't you think? I thought we persisted of doing the correct thing and that was putting the ball again on them to secure field position.

"The reason that was the right thing to do is since it's the likes of Hansen who was securing the balls back, and other players, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

Outside Hansen, there were numerous positives for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his return to the number 10 jersey, the set piece and throw-in functioned smoothly and different player did not look out of place in his debut appearance in the front row.

But possibly most satisfying for Farrell was Ireland bookending the game with multiple strong periods.

Hansen's first two scores occurred in the first 11 moments while additional teammates registered in the closing stages after the opposition had crossed, guaranteeing the home side finished on a high.

"I thought we truly let ourselves go and attacked the match right from the word go," stated the coach.

"The way we managed various elements throughout the game, especially the opposition responding just before the break and regathering ourselves and giving a performance like we achieved in the later stages, I thought as far as territory and being familiar with the majority of our game in that later period was really pleasing."

The strength of the Springboks are next up for the team, in what could be considered as an unofficial decider to the previous season's tied two-Test contest on opposition territory.

The coach's team will require to reach a higher level to defeat the consecutive title holders, but Saturday's defeat of the Australian team was a important advancement in the right direction after an uninspiring beginning to their fall schedule.