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After last week's disappointing performance against Japan, Andy Farrell told his Ireland squad to improve their performance.

Ireland listened immediately.

The Irish side had struggled late against the All Blacks and required considerable time to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

However, facing the Wallabies, they began strongly, with the talented back shining brightest during a 46-19 triumph that marked Ireland's finest display of the season.

In his debut test match start at the number 15 position, Hansen scored a three tries, contested excellently for aerial challenges and performed outstandingly against the country of his origin.

"You know, I've experienced a pretty difficult run with fitness issues honestly," Hansen commented.

"I missed being in this squad, I understand there's considerable discussion about me not exactly being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this group and this seems like family.

"Any time I get to represent for the national team it's a privilege, if you don't put in a good showing you might not get that privilege again.

"My entire focus this period was to take the field and perform what I can do."

Manager stated: 'Good athletes require no justifications'

After twenty-eight caps on the flank, Hansen was entrusted the number 15 role for the first time with several players unavailable.

For him, it was essentially a case of continuing where he left off during the summer.

The 28-year-old had been in excellent condition before physical issues ended his aspiration of joining the international squad.

After come back recently, he developed a foot injury that ruled him out for earlier matches.

The coach had indicated that the player was especially determined and these turned out to be not empty words as the former club player gave his coach a positive team dilemma for upcoming games.

"So my first reaction were, 'You need to perform well in those different coloured shoes!'," commented the coach, alluding to the player's decision to sport mismatched footwear.

"In fact I believed that was appropriate but apparently Hansen just made that personally anyway. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I said to him before the match, 'Good players don't need excuses, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can get the player of the game if you want,' and he responded, 'Yes, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that kind of performer, he prepares thoroughly, he's got a great approach to understand his preparation and thus that's why he slotted straight into the team and he was able to be himself because of that."

Hansen's performance also received praise from the opposing manager, who remarked he was the "standout Australian player" on the night.

"In my view he was outstanding, his experience showed to the fore," said the ex- national manager.

"Unfortunately, Mack was likely the best opposition player on the pitch. He's has a excellent skillset and he's such a strong competitor."

Pressed about what makes the player a good fit at full-back, Farrell added: "Appearing in the middle of the pitch is something that he demonstrates from the wing anyway, but I imagine he's better in position for that frequently.

"His aerial work was brilliant, wasn't it? I thought we persisted of doing the right thing and that was putting the ball back on them to secure field position.

"Why that was the right strategy to do is since it's the players of Mackie who was securing the balls returned, and additional players, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Outside the star performer, there were numerous positives for Farrell.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his comeback to the number 10 jersey, the set piece and throw-in operated smoothly and another player did not appear out of place in his debut appearance in the forwards.

But possibly more pleasing for the manager was the team framing the match with multiple impressive periods.

Hansen's initial couple of scores came in the opening eleven moments while other teammates scored in the final exchanges after the other team had scored, guaranteeing the Irish side finished on a high.

"In my opinion we truly performed freely and approached the game straight from the word go," stated Farrell.

"How we handled various elements throughout the game, particularly the opposition responding just before the break and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as territory and being across the majority of our strategy in that second half was really satisfying."

The might of the Springboks are awaiting for the team, in what might be viewed as an unofficial conclusion to last year's drawn two-Test contest on opposition territory.

Farrell's team will require to reach a higher level to defeat the back-to-back title holders, but Saturday's defeat of the Wallabies was a important advancement in the right direction after an disappointing start to their autumn schedule.