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After their previous disappointing showing against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell challenged his Ireland team to improve their performance.

Ireland 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 strongly, with the talented back excelling most prominently during a 46-19 triumph that represented Ireland's best display this year.

Making his debut test match start at full-back, Hansen registered a three tries, contested brilliantly for aerial challenges and played outstandingly against the nation of his birth.

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

"I longed for being in this squad, I know there's considerable talk about me not necessarily being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this team and this feels like home.

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

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

Coach declared: 'Good athletes don't need excuses'

Following twenty-eight appearances on the wing, the player was entrusted the number 15 position for the initial time with multiple players unavailable.

In his case, it was essentially a matter of picking up where he left off during the summer.

The 28-year-old had been in excellent condition before injury disrupted his aspiration of joining the international team.

After returned last month, he developed a lower body problem that ruled him out for earlier matches.

The coach had indicated that the player was especially determined and these proved not empty statements as the ex- club player gave his manager a positive selection dilemma for future games.

"Well my first reaction were, 'You better perform well in those two coloured shoes!'," said Farrell, alluding to the player's decision to wear different footwear.

"In fact I believed that was appropriate but apparently Mack just made that himself regardless. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even begun.

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

"So he's that kind of player, he trains well, he's has a excellent attitude to understand his preparation and so that's why he slotted right into the team and he was able to be himself because of that."

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

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

"Unfortunately, Hansen was likely the standout Australian performer on the pitch. He's got a great ability and he's such a good competitor."

Pressed about what makes Hansen a good option at the number 15 position, Farrell added: "Appearing in the center of the pitch is something that he does from the flank regardless, but I imagine he's more in position for that more often.

"His high ball work was brilliant, don't you think? I believed we didn't get bored of doing the right thing and that was placing the possession back on them to gain territory.

"The reason that was the correct strategy to do is because it's the players of Mackie who was getting the balls back, and other teammates, so [it's] quite pleasing."

Outside Hansen, there were multiple positives for Farrell.

Another player was outstanding on his comeback to the fly-half position, the scrum and throw-in functioned smoothly and different player did not appear out of place in his debut start in the forwards.

But possibly most pleasing for Farrell was the team bookending the game with two impressive spells.

Hansen's initial two tries occurred in the first eleven minutes while additional players registered in the closing stages after the other team had scored, guaranteeing the Irish side finished on a high.

"In my opinion we truly performed freely and attacked the game right from the beginning," stated the coach.

"How we managed numerous elements throughout the game, particularly the opposition responding just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and producing a display like we achieved in the second half, I believed as far as territory and being across most of our game in that second half was truly satisfying."

The might of the Springboks are next up for the team, in what could be viewed as an unofficial conclusion to last year's tied two-Test series on rival soil.

Farrell's team will require to attain a higher level to beat the consecutive title holders, but the recent defeat of the Wallabies was a important step in the correct path after an disappointing start to their fall campaign.