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

Ireland responded immediately.

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

Nevertheless, facing Australia, they started powerfully, with the talented back excelling brightest during a 46-19 victory that represented the team's best display of the season.

In his debut international appearance at the number 15 position, the player scored a hat-trick, competed brilliantly for aerial challenges and played outstandingly against the country of his origin.

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

"I missed being in this team, I understand there's much discussion about me not necessarily being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this group and this feels like family.

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

"My whole approach this period was to take the field and do what I can do."

Manager declared: 'Good athletes require no justifications'

After twenty-eight caps on the wing, Hansen was entrusted the full-back position for the first time with multiple teammates unavailable.

For him, it was essentially a matter of continuing where he left off during the warmer months.

The experienced player had been in excellent condition before injury disrupted his aspiration of joining the Test team.

After returned last month, he developed a foot problem that made him unavailable for previous fixtures.

The coach had indicated that the player was especially motivated and these turned out to be not hollow words as the former club player gave his manager a welcome team headache for future games.

"So my first thoughts were, 'You better perform excellently in those different coloured shoes!'," said Farrell, alluding to the player's choice to sport mismatched footwear.

"In fact I believed that was fitting but it seems Hansen just made that himself regardless. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even started.

"I said to him before the match, 'Good players require no justifications, they can perform and just play naturally, you can get the player of the game if you choose,' and he went, 'Yes, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that kind of player, he prepares thoroughly, he's got a great approach 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."

The player's efforts also received commendation from the opposing manager, who stated he was the "standout Australian performer" on the night.

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

"Unfortunately, Mack was likely the best Australian player on the pitch. He's got a great skillset and he's such a good competitor."

Pressed about what enables Hansen a strong fit at full-back, the coach continued: "Showing up in the center of the pitch is a trait that he does from the wing regardless, but I imagine he's more in position for that frequently.

"His high ball play was excellent, wasn't it? I believed we persisted of doing the right thing and that was putting the possession back on them to secure territory.

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

Outside Hansen, there were numerous encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Another player was excellent on his return to the fly-half jersey, the scrum and line-out functioned smoothly and different player did not appear out of place in his first appearance in the forwards.

But possibly most pleasing for the manager was Ireland framing the game with two strong spells.

Hansen's first couple of tries came in the opening 11 minutes while additional teammates scored in the closing exchanges after the other team had crossed, ensuring the home team finished on a high.

"I thought we truly let ourselves go and approached the match right from the beginning," said the coach.

"How we managed numerous aspects throughout the game, especially the opposition responding just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and giving a performance like we did in the later stages, I thought as far as field position and being across the majority of our game in that later period was really pleasing."

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

The coach's side will need to reach another level to defeat the back-to-back world champions, but the recent defeat of the Wallabies was a important advancement in the right direction after an uninspiring beginning to their autumn schedule.