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Following last week's underwhelming showing against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell challenged his Irish squad to step up their performance.

Ireland responded immediately.

Ireland had struggled in the final stages against New Zealand and required most of the match to find their rhythm versus Japan.

Nevertheless, against the Wallabies, they started strongly, with the talented back excelling most prominently during a comprehensive triumph that marked Ireland's finest display of the season.

In his debut international appearance at the number 15 position, the player scored a hat-trick, competed excellently for aerial challenges and performed outstandingly against the nation of his birth.

"You know, I've had a fairly difficult period with fitness issues honestly," Hansen commented.

"I longed for being in this squad, I understand there's much talk about me not exactly being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this group and this seems like family.

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

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

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

Following 28 appearances on the wing, Hansen was given the number 15 role for the first time with multiple players injured.

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

The 28-year-old had been in superb form before injury ended his aspiration of making the international squad.

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

Farrell had suggested that the player was especially determined and these proved not hollow statements as the ex- club player gave his coach a welcome team dilemma for upcoming matches.

"So my first thoughts were, 'You need to perform excellently in those two coloured shoes!'," said the coach, alluding to Hansen's choice to wear different boots.

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

"I said to him before the game, 'Good athletes don't need justifications, they can perform and just play naturally, you can get the man of the match if you choose,' and he went, 'Yes, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that type of player, he prepares thoroughly, he's has a great attitude to understand his preparation and so that's why he slotted straight into the team and he was able to perform naturally because of that."

The player's performance also received commendation from the opposing coach, who remarked he was the "exceptional Australian performer" on the night.

"In my view he was super, his experience showed to the fore," commented the ex- international manager.

"Regrettably, Mack was probably the best Australian performer on the field. He's got a excellent skillset and he's such a strong contender."

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

"His aerial work was excellent, wasn't it? I believed we persisted of doing the correct approach and that was putting the possession back on them to secure field position.

"Why that was the right strategy to do is because it's the likes of Hansen who was securing the possessions back, and other players, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Beyond Hansen, there were numerous encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Another player was outstanding on his return to the number 10 jersey, the set piece and line-out operated smoothly and different teammate did not look uncomfortable in his debut start in the front row.

But possibly more pleasing for Farrell was Ireland framing the game with multiple impressive spells.

The player's initial couple of tries occurred in the first 11 moments while additional players scored in the final exchanges after the opposition had scored, guaranteeing the home side finished on a positive note.

"I thought we really performed freely and attacked the game right from the beginning," stated Farrell.

"The way we managed various elements throughout the match, particularly the opposition coming back just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and producing a display like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as field position and being across most of our game in that second half was truly satisfying."

The might of South Africa are awaiting for Ireland, in what might be viewed as an informal conclusion to the previous season's tied multiple match series on rival territory.

The coach's side will need to reach a higher standard to defeat the back-to-back world champions, but the recent defeat of the Wallabies was a significant step in the correct direction after an disappointing beginning to their autumn campaign.