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Following their previous underwhelming showing against the Japanese team, the head coach challenged his Ireland squad to improve their game.

Ireland listened right away.

Ireland had faded in the final stages against the All Blacks and required most of the match to get going versus Japan.

However, facing the Wallabies, they started strongly, with the talented back shining most prominently during a comprehensive triumph that represented Ireland's best display of the season.

Making his debut test match start at the number 15 position, Hansen registered a three tries, contested brilliantly for aerial challenges and performed exceptionally against the nation of his birth.

"Look, I've had a pretty challenging period with fitness issues honestly," Hansen commented.

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

"Any time I have to represent for Ireland it's a privilege, if you fail to deliver a good showing you might not get that opportunity again.

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

Manager declared: 'Good players don't need justifications'

Following twenty-eight caps on the wing, the player was entrusted the full-back role for the initial time with multiple teammates unavailable.

For him, it was simply a case of continuing where he left off during the warmer months.

The experienced player had been in excellent condition before injury ended his dream of joining the Test squad.

Having returned recently, he suffered a lower body injury that made him unavailable for previous matches.

Farrell had indicated that Hansen was especially motivated and these turned out to be not empty statements as the ex- club player gave his manager a positive team headache for future matches.

"So my initial reaction were, 'You need to play excellently in those two coloured shoes!'," commented Farrell, alluding to Hansen's decision to sport different boots.

"In fact I thought that was appropriate but apparently 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, 'Excellent athletes require no justifications, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can win the player of the game if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"So he's that kind of performer, he trains well, he's got a great approach to understand his preparation and so that's why he slotted right back in and he was capable to be himself because of that."

The player's efforts also received commendation from the opposing coach, who remarked he was the "standout opposition performer" on the night.

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

"Unfortunately, Hansen was probably the best opposition performer on the pitch. He's has a excellent ability and he's such a strong contender."

When asked about what makes the player a strong option at full-back, Farrell continued: "Appearing in the center of the pitch is a trait that he does from the flank anyway, but I suppose he's better in place for that frequently.

"His aerial play was brilliant, wasn't it? 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.

"The reason that was the right thing to do is because it's the likes of Mackie who was securing the balls returned, and additional teammates, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

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

Another player was excellent on his return to the number 10 jersey, the set piece and line-out operated effectively and different teammate did not appear uncomfortable in his first appearance in the forwards.

But possibly more satisfying for Farrell was Ireland bookending the match with two impressive periods.

Hansen's first couple of tries occurred in the opening eleven moments while additional teammates scored in the closing stages after the opposition had scored, ensuring the Irish team finished on a positive note.

"I thought we truly performed freely and attacked the match right from the beginning," stated the coach.

"How we managed numerous aspects during the match, especially them responding just before the break and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we did in the later stages, I believed as far as field position and being familiar with most of our game in that second half was really satisfying."

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

Farrell's side will need to reach another level to beat the consecutive world champions, but Saturday's victory of the Wallabies was a significant advancement in the right path after an disappointing beginning to their autumn schedule.