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Following their previous disappointing showing against Japan, Andy Farrell challenged his Ireland squad to improve their game.

Ireland responded immediately.

Ireland had struggled in the final stages against the All Blacks and taken most of the match to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, facing Australia, they started powerfully, with the talented back excelling brightest during a comprehensive triumph that marked Ireland's finest performance of the season.

In his debut test match start at full-back, Hansen scored a hat-trick, competed brilliantly for aerial challenges and performed exceptionally against the nation of his origin.

"Look, I've experienced a pretty difficult period with injuries honestly," the athlete stated.

"I missed being in this squad, I know there's much talk about me not exactly being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this team and this feels like home.

"Whenever I get to play for Ireland it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a good showing you might not get that opportunity again.

"My entire approach this period was to go out and perform what I can do."

Coach stated: 'Excellent athletes require no justifications'

Following twenty-eight caps on the wing, the player was given the number 15 role for the initial time with multiple teammates injured.

For him, it was simply a matter of continuing where he finished during the warmer months.

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

Having returned recently, he developed a lower body problem that ruled him out for earlier matches.

Farrell had suggested that the player was especially motivated and these turned out to be not hollow words as the former provincial player gave his manager a positive team headache for upcoming matches.

"Well my first reaction were, 'You better perform well in those two coloured shoes!'," commented Farrell, referring to the player's decision to sport different boots.

"Actually I thought that was fitting but apparently Mack just did that personally anyway. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes don't need justifications, they can perform and just be themselves, you can get the player of the game if you choose,' and he went, 'Yes, I concur.'

"So he's that kind of player, he prepares well, he's has a great attitude to get across his preparation and thus that's why he slotted right back in and he was capable to perform naturally due to that."

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

"I thought he was super, his knowledge was evident to the fore," commented the ex- national coach.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was probably the best opposition player on the pitch. He's got a excellent ability and he's such a good contender."

When asked about what makes Hansen a good fit at full-back, Farrell continued: "Showing up in the middle of the pitch is something that he does from the wing anyway, but I suppose he's better in place for that more often.

"The player's aerial work was excellent, don't you think? I believed we persisted of doing the correct approach and that was placing the ball again on them to gain territory.

"Why that was the correct strategy to do is since it's the players of Hansen who was getting the possessions returned, and other teammates, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Outside the star performer, there were multiple encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Another player was excellent on his comeback to the number 10 position, the scrum and throw-in operated effectively and different teammate did not appear out of place in his first appearance in the forwards.

But possibly more satisfying for Farrell was the team bookending the game with two impressive periods.

Hansen's initial couple of scores came in the first 11 minutes while other players registered in the closing exchanges after the opposition had scored, ensuring the Irish side finished on a positive note.

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

"How we handled various aspects throughout the match, particularly the opposition responding just before the break and regathering ourselves and producing a display like we did in the second half, I thought as far as field position and being familiar with the majority of our game in that second half was really pleasing."

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

Farrell's side will need to reach another standard to beat the back-to-back world champions, but the recent victory of the Australian team was a important advancement in the correct path after an disappointing beginning to their autumn campaign.