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Following last week's disappointing showing against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell challenged his Irish squad to step up their game.

Ireland responded right away.

Ireland had struggled in the final stages against the All Blacks and required considerable time to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, facing the Wallabies, they began strongly, with the talented back shining brightest during a 46-19 victory that represented Ireland's finest performance of the season.

Making his first international appearance at full-back, Hansen registered a hat-trick, competed excellently for high balls and played outstandingly against the nation of his birth.

"Look, I've had a fairly challenging run with fitness issues really," the athlete stated.

"I missed being in this team, I understand there's much talk about me not necessarily being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this group and this seems like home.

"Any time 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 whole focus this week was to take the field and perform what I could do."

Manager declared: 'Good players don't need excuses'

Following 28 appearances on the flank, Hansen was given the number 15 position for the first time with multiple teammates injured.

In his case, it was essentially a case of continuing where he finished during the warmer months.

The 28-year-old had been in superb form before physical issues ended his aspiration of joining the Test team.

Having come back last month, he developed a lower body injury that ruled him out for earlier fixtures.

The coach had suggested that the player was especially determined and these turned out to be not empty words as the ex- provincial player gave his coach a positive team headache for upcoming games.

"So my first thoughts were, 'You better play well in those different coloured boots!'," commented Farrell, alluding to Hansen's choice to sport mismatched footwear.

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

"I said to him before the game, 'Good players don't need justifications, they can perform and just play naturally, you can get the man of the match if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yes, I agree.'

"So he's that kind of performer, he prepares thoroughly, he's has a great approach to get across his preparation and so that's why he slotted straight back in and he was capable to perform naturally due to that."

Hansen's efforts also earned commendation from the opposing coach, who remarked he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the evening.

"I thought he was outstanding, his experience showed to the fore," said the ex- national coach.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was likely the standout Australian performer on the pitch. He's got a excellent skillset and he's such a strong competitor."

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

"His aerial work was brilliant, wasn't it? I thought we didn't get bored of executing the correct approach and that was placing the possession again on them to secure field position.

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

Beyond the star performer, there were multiple positives for Farrell.

Another player was excellent on his return to the fly-half jersey, the scrum and line-out functioned effectively and another player did not look uncomfortable in his first start in the front row.

But perhaps more pleasing for the manager was Ireland framing the match with two strong spells.

Hansen's initial couple of scores occurred in the first 11 moments while other players registered in the closing stages after the other team had scored, guaranteeing the home side finished on a positive note.

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

"How we managed numerous elements during the match, especially the opposition responding just before half-time and regathering ourselves and giving a performance like we achieved in the second half, I believed as far as field position and being familiar with most of our game in that second half was truly satisfying."

The might of the Springboks are next up for Ireland, in what might be viewed as an informal conclusion to the previous season's tied two-Test series on opposition territory.

The coach's side will require to attain a higher standard to defeat the consecutive world champions, but the recent victory of the Australian team was a important step in the correct direction after an uninspiring start to their fall campaign.