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After their previous underwhelming performance against the Japanese team, the head coach told his Irish squad to improve their game.

The team listened right away.

The Irish side had faded late against the All Blacks and required considerable time to get going versus Japan.

However, against the Wallabies, they started powerfully, with the talented back shining most prominently during a comprehensive victory that marked Ireland's finest performance this year.

In his first test match start at full-back, the player scored a hat-trick, contested brilliantly for aerial challenges and played exceptionally against the nation of his origin.

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

"I missed being in this squad, I know there's considerable talk about me not necessarily being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this group and this feels like home.

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

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

Manager stated: 'Good athletes don't need justifications'

After 28 appearances on the flank, Hansen was given the full-back role for the initial time with several players injured.

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

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

Having come back last month, he developed a foot problem that ruled him out for earlier fixtures.

The coach had indicated that Hansen was especially motivated and these proved not hollow statements as the former provincial player gave his manager a welcome selection dilemma for upcoming games.

"So my first reaction were, 'You better perform well in those different colored shoes!'," commented Farrell, referring to the player's decision to wear different footwear.

"In fact I believed that was fitting but apparently Hansen just made that personally regardless. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the game, 'Excellent athletes don't need justifications, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can get the man of the match if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"So he's that type of player, he prepares well, he's got a great approach to understand his preparation and thus that's why he slotted right back in and he was capable to be himself because of that."

Hansen's efforts also received commendation from the rival coach, who remarked he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the night.

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

"Regrettably, Mack was probably the best Australian performer on the pitch. He's got a excellent skillset and he's such a good competitor."

Pressed about what makes Hansen a good fit at the number 15 position, the coach added: "Appearing in the center of the pitch is something that he does from the wing anyway, but I imagine he's better in place for that frequently.

"The player's high ball work was excellent, don't you think? I thought we didn't get bored of executing the correct approach and that was placing the possession back on them to secure field position.

"The reason that was the correct thing to do is since it's the likes of Hansen who was securing the possessions returned, and additional players, so [it's] quite pleasing."

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

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his return to the fly-half position, the set piece and line-out operated smoothly and different player did not look out of place in his first start in the forwards.

But perhaps more satisfying for Farrell was Ireland bookending the match with multiple strong spells.

Hansen's initial two tries occurred in the first eleven moments while other players registered in the final stages after the other team had scored, guaranteeing the home team concluded on a high.

"In my opinion we really performed freely and attacked the game right from the beginning," stated Farrell.

"How we managed various aspects throughout the game, particularly them coming back just before half-time and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as field position and being across the majority of our game in that second half was truly pleasing."

The strength of South Africa are next up for Ireland, in what could be viewed as an informal decider to the previous season's tied multiple match series on rival soil.

Farrell's team will need to reach a higher standard to beat the consecutive world champions, but Saturday's victory of the Australian team was a important step in the right path after an uninspiring beginning to their fall campaign.