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Following their previous disappointing showing against the Japanese team, the head coach told his Ireland team to step up their game.

Ireland responded right away.

Ireland had faded in the final stages against the All Blacks and taken considerable time to find their rhythm versus Japan.

However, against Australia, they began powerfully, with the talented back excelling most prominently during a 46-19 victory that marked the team's finest performance of the season.

Making his debut test match start at full-back, the player registered a three tries, competed brilliantly for aerial challenges and performed exceptionally against the country of his birth.

"You know, I've had a pretty difficult run with injuries honestly," Hansen stated.

"I longed for being in this squad, I understand there's considerable talk about me not necessarily being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this team and this seems like family.

"Whenever I get to play for Ireland it's a honor, if you don't put in a performance you might not receive that privilege again.

"My entire approach this week was to take the field and perform what I could do."

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

Following twenty-eight caps on the wing, the player was entrusted the number 15 role for the first time with multiple players unavailable.

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

The 28-year-old had been in excellent form before physical issues disrupted his dream of making the international team.

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

The coach had suggested that the player was particularly determined and these turned out to be not hollow words as the former provincial player gave his coach a positive team dilemma for future games.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You better play well in those two coloured boots!'," said the coach, alluding to Hansen's decision to sport different boots.

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

"I said to him before the match, 'Good players don't need excuses, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can win the man of the match if you choose,' and he went, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"So he's that kind of performer, he trains well, he's has a great approach to understand his preparation and so that's why he fitted straight into the team and he was capable to perform naturally because of that."

Hansen's performance also earned commendation from the rival coach, who remarked he was the "exceptional Australian player" on the evening.

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

"Unfortunately, Hansen was likely the best opposition player on the pitch. He's got a great skillset and he's such a strong competitor."

Pressed about what makes the player a good fit at the number 15 position, Farrell continued: "Showing up in the center of the field is something that he demonstrates from the flank regardless, but I suppose he's more in position for that more often.

"The player's aerial work was brilliant, wasn't it? I thought we persisted of doing the right approach and that was putting the ball back on them to gain territory.

"The reason 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] quite pleasing."

Beyond Hansen, there were multiple encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his return to the fly-half position, the scrum and line-out functioned effectively and different player did not appear uncomfortable in his first appearance in the front row.

But possibly more pleasing for the manager was the team bookending the match with two impressive periods.

Hansen's initial couple of scores occurred in the opening 11 minutes while additional teammates scored in the closing stages after the other team had scored, guaranteeing the home team finished on a positive note.

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

"How we managed numerous elements during the match, particularly them coming back just before the break and regathering ourselves and giving a performance like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as territory and being familiar with most of our strategy in that later period was truly satisfying."

The strength of the Springboks are next up for the team, in what might be considered as an informal decider to the previous season's tied two-Test series on rival territory.

The coach's side will require to reach a higher level to defeat the back-to-back title holders, but the recent defeat of the Wallabies was a significant advancement in the correct path after an uninspiring beginning to their fall schedule.