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After last week's underwhelming showing against the Japanese team, the head coach told his Ireland team to improve their performance.

The team responded right away.

Ireland had struggled late against the All Blacks and required considerable time to find their rhythm versus Japan.

Nevertheless, against the Wallabies, they started powerfully, with the talented back shining most prominently during a comprehensive victory that represented Ireland's finest display this year.

Making his first international start at full-back, the player registered a hat-trick, competed brilliantly for high balls and performed outstandingly against the country of his birth.

"You know, I've experienced a pretty challenging run with injuries honestly," Hansen commented.

"I longed for being in this squad, I know there's much discussion about me not exactly 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 represent for the national team it's a honor, if you don't put in a good showing you might not get that opportunity again.

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

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

After twenty-eight caps on the wing, the player was given the full-back position for the initial time with multiple teammates injured.

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

The experienced player had been in superb form before physical issues ended his aspiration of making the international team.

Having returned last month, he suffered a lower body problem that made him unavailable for earlier matches.

The coach had suggested that the player was particularly determined and these proved not empty statements as the ex- club player gave his coach a positive team dilemma for future games.

"So my initial thoughts were, 'You better play excellently in those different coloured shoes!'," commented the coach, referring to the player's choice to sport mismatched footwear.

"In fact I thought that was fitting but apparently Mack just made that himself regardless. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the game, 'Excellent players require no excuses, they can perform and just play naturally, you can win the player of the game if you want,' and he responded, 'Yes, I concur.'

"So he's that type of player, he trains thoroughly, he's has a excellent approach to understand his preparation and so that's why he slotted right back in and he was capable to be himself due to that."

The player's performance also earned commendation from the opposing manager, who stated he was the "standout opposition player" on the night.

"I thought he was outstanding, his experience was evident to the front," said the ex- international manager.

"Regrettably, Mack was probably the best Australian player on the field. He's has a great ability and he's such a strong competitor."

Pressed about what enables Hansen a strong fit at full-back, Farrell continued: "Appearing in the middle of the pitch is a trait that he does from the flank regardless, but I suppose he's better in place for that more often.

"The player's aerial work was brilliant, don't you think? I thought we persisted of executing the correct approach and that was putting the possession again on them to gain field position.

"Why that was the correct thing to do is because it's the likes of Hansen who was getting the possessions back, and other players, so [it's] quite satisfying."

Beyond Hansen, there were numerous encouraging aspects for Farrell.

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

But possibly most pleasing for Farrell was the team framing the match with two impressive spells.

Hansen's first couple of scores occurred in the first 11 minutes while additional players registered in the final exchanges after the opposition had crossed, ensuring the Irish team finished on a positive note.

"In my opinion we truly performed freely and approached the game right from the word go," said the coach.

"How we managed various aspects during the game, particularly the opposition responding just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and giving a display like we did in the second half, I believed as far as territory and being across the majority of our game in that second half was truly pleasing."

The might of the Springboks are awaiting for the team, in what could be viewed as an informal decider to the previous season's drawn multiple match contest on opposition territory.

Farrell's team will need to reach a higher standard to defeat the consecutive world champions, but Saturday's victory of the Wallabies was a important step in the right direction after an uninspiring beginning to their autumn schedule.