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After their previous disappointing performance against the Japanese team, the head coach told his Ireland squad to step up their game.

Ireland listened right away.

The Irish side had faded late against the All Blacks and taken considerable time to get going versus their Asian opponents.

However, against Australia, they started strongly, with the talented back excelling brightest during a 46-19 victory that marked the team's finest performance of the season.

Making his first test match start at the number 15 position, the player scored a hat-trick, contested brilliantly for aerial challenges and played exceptionally against the country of his origin.

"You know, I've had a fairly challenging run with fitness issues honestly," the athlete commented.

"I longed for being in this squad, I understand there's considerable discussion about me not necessarily being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this group and this feels like home.

"Whenever I get to represent for Ireland it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a performance you might not receive that opportunity again.

"My whole focus this period was to go out and perform what I could do."

Coach stated: 'Excellent athletes require no excuses'

Following 28 appearances on the wing, Hansen was entrusted the full-back position for the first time with multiple players unavailable.

For him, it was simply a case of picking up where he finished during the warmer months.

The experienced player had been in superb form before physical issues disrupted his aspiration of joining the international squad.

After returned last month, he suffered a foot injury that ruled him out for previous fixtures.

The coach had suggested that the player was particularly determined and these turned out to be not empty words as the former club player gave his manager a positive selection dilemma for future matches.

"Well my initial reaction were, 'You better perform excellently in those two colored boots!'," said Farrell, referring to Hansen's choice to wear different boots.

"In fact I thought that was appropriate but it seems Hansen just made that himself regardless. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the match, 'Excellent players don't need justifications, they can perform and just be themselves, you can win the player of the game if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yes, I agree.'

"So he's that type of performer, he trains thoroughly, he's got a excellent attitude to understand his preparation and thus that's why he slotted straight into the team and he was capable to be himself because of that."

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

"In my view he was super, his experience was evident to the fore," commented the former international coach.

"Regrettably, Mack was likely the best Australian performer on the pitch. He's has a great ability and he's such a good contender."

When asked about what makes the player a good option at full-back, the coach added: "Showing up in the center of the field is a trait that he does from the wing anyway, but I suppose he's better in place for that frequently.

"The player's aerial work was brilliant, don't you think? I believed we persisted of doing the correct thing and that was putting the ball back on them to gain territory.

"The reason that was the right thing to do is since it's the players of Mackie who was securing the possessions back, and other teammates, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

Outside Hansen, there were numerous encouraging aspects for the coach.

Another player was excellent on his comeback to the number 10 position, the set piece and throw-in functioned smoothly and different teammate did not look out of place in his first start in the forwards.

But perhaps most pleasing for the manager was Ireland bookending the game with multiple impressive spells.

Hansen's initial couple of scores came in the first eleven moments while additional players scored in the final exchanges after the other team had crossed, ensuring the home side finished on a high.

"I thought we truly performed freely and attacked the match right from the word go," stated Farrell.

"How we handled numerous elements throughout the match, particularly them coming back just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and producing a display like we achieved in the later stages, I believed as far as field position and being across the majority of our game in that second half was truly satisfying."

The strength of South Africa are next up for Ireland, in what could be considered as an informal conclusion to the previous season's tied multiple match contest on rival territory.

The coach's team will need to attain another standard to beat the consecutive world champions, but the recent victory of the Australian team was a significant step in the correct direction after an disappointing beginning to their autumn campaign.