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After last week's underwhelming showing against Japan, Andy Farrell told his Irish squad to improve their performance.

Ireland listened immediately.

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

However, facing Australia, they started strongly, with the talented back excelling most prominently during a comprehensive triumph that represented Ireland's finest performance this year.

In his first test match appearance at full-back, Hansen scored a three tries, contested excellently for aerial challenges and performed outstandingly against the nation of his origin.

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

"I missed being in this team, I understand there's considerable discussion about me not exactly being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this team and this feels like family.

"Any time I get to play for the national team it's a privilege, if you fail to deliver a performance you might not receive that opportunity again.

"My whole approach this week was to go out and do what I could do."

Manager declared: 'Excellent athletes require no excuses'

After twenty-eight appearances on the wing, the player was given the number 15 position for the first time with multiple teammates unavailable.

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

The 28-year-old had been in excellent condition before physical issues disrupted his aspiration of making the Test team.

After come back recently, he developed a lower body injury that made him unavailable for previous fixtures.

The coach had suggested that Hansen was particularly motivated and these proved not hollow statements as the former provincial player gave his coach a welcome selection headache for upcoming games.

"So my first thoughts were, 'You need to perform well in those two coloured boots!'," commented the coach, referring to Hansen's choice to wear different footwear.

"Actually I thought that was appropriate but it seems Hansen just did that personally anyway. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the game, 'Excellent athletes require no justifications, they can perform and just be themselves, you can win the player of the game if you choose,' and he went, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that type of player, he prepares thoroughly, he's got a excellent approach to understand his preparation and thus that's why he slotted straight back in and he was able to be himself due to that."

Hansen's performance also received praise from the rival manager, who stated he was the "standout opposition performer" on the evening.

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

"Unfortunately, Mack was likely the standout opposition performer on the field. He's has a excellent skillset and he's such a good contender."

Pressed about what enables the player a good option at the number 15 position, the coach continued: "Appearing in the center of the pitch is something that he demonstrates from the flank anyway, but I suppose he's better in place for that more often.

"His high ball play was excellent, don't you think? I believed we didn't get bored of executing the right approach and that was placing the possession back on them to gain field position.

"Why that was the correct strategy to do is because it's the players of Hansen who was securing the balls returned, and other players, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

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

Another player was outstanding on his comeback to the fly-half position, the scrum and throw-in functioned effectively and another teammate did not look uncomfortable in his first appearance in the front row.

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

The player's first two tries came in the first eleven minutes while other players registered in the final exchanges after the opposition had crossed, ensuring the Irish side finished on a high.

"I thought we truly let ourselves go and approached the game straight from the word go," said the coach.

"The way we handled various elements during the game, especially the opposition coming back just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and giving a performance like we did in the second half, I believed as far as field position and being across the majority of our strategy in that second half was truly pleasing."

The strength of South Africa are next up for the team, in what could be considered as an unofficial decider to the previous season's tied two-Test series on rival territory.

The coach's side will require to attain another level to beat the back-to-back world champions, but Saturday's victory of the Wallabies was a important step in the right path after an disappointing start to their fall schedule.