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Following last week's underwhelming performance against Japan, Andy Farrell challenged his Ireland team to improve their game.

The team responded right away.

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

Nevertheless, against the Wallabies, they started powerfully, with the talented back excelling brightest during a comprehensive victory that marked Ireland's finest performance of the season.

Making his first international start at the number 15 position, Hansen registered a three tries, competed brilliantly for high balls and played outstandingly against the country of his birth.

"Look, I've experienced a pretty challenging run with injuries honestly," Hansen stated.

"I longed for being in this team, I understand there's much discussion about me not necessarily being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this group and this feels like home.

"Any time I have to represent for Ireland it's a honor, if you don't put in a good showing you may not get that opportunity again.

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

Coach stated: 'Good athletes require no excuses'

Following 28 caps on the flank, the player was entrusted the full-back position for the first time with multiple teammates injured.

For him, it was essentially a case of continuing where he left off during the summer.

The experienced player had been in superb condition before injury ended his dream of joining the Test squad.

After returned last month, he suffered a foot problem that ruled him out for earlier matches.

The coach had suggested that the player was particularly motivated and these proved not hollow statements as the ex- club player gave his manager a welcome team headache for upcoming matches.

"Well my initial thoughts were, 'You need to perform well in those different coloured shoes!'," commented the coach, alluding to Hansen's decision to wear different boots.

"Actually I believed that was appropriate but it seems Mack just did that himself regardless. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I said to him before the match, 'Excellent players require no excuses, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can win the player of the game if you want,' and he went, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that kind of player, he trains well, he's got a excellent attitude to get across his preparation and so that's why he fitted straight back in and he was able to be himself because of that."

Hansen's efforts also received praise from the opposing coach, who remarked he was the "exceptional Australian player" on the evening.

"In my view he was super, his knowledge was evident to the fore," commented the ex- international manager.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was probably the standout Australian player on the field. He's got a great skillset and he's such a strong competitor."

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

"His aerial work was excellent, don't you think? I believed we persisted of doing the correct thing and that was placing the ball again on them to secure field position.

"The reason that was the correct strategy to do is since it's the likes of Mackie who was securing the balls back, and other players, so [it's] quite satisfying."

Outside Hansen, there were multiple positives for Farrell.

Another player was excellent on his comeback to the number 10 position, the scrum and throw-in functioned effectively and different teammate did not look uncomfortable in his debut start in the forwards.

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

Hansen's first two scores came in the opening 11 minutes while additional teammates registered in the closing exchanges after the other team had crossed, guaranteeing the home side concluded on a high.

"I thought we really performed freely and attacked the game right from the word go," stated Farrell.

"The way we handled various aspects during the match, especially the opposition responding just before the break and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as field position and being familiar with the majority of our game in that later period was really satisfying."

The strength of the Springboks are awaiting for Ireland, in what might be viewed as an informal conclusion to the previous season's drawn multiple match contest on rival soil.

The coach's team will require to attain a higher standard to defeat the consecutive world champions, but Saturday's victory of the Wallabies was a significant advancement in the correct path after an disappointing beginning to their autumn schedule.