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After last week's underwhelming showing against Japan, the head coach challenged his Ireland squad to step up their performance.

The team listened immediately.

The Irish side had faded late against New Zealand and required most of the match to get going versus Japan.

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

In his debut test match appearance at the number 15 position, the player registered a hat-trick, competed brilliantly for aerial challenges and performed outstandingly against the country of his origin.

"Look, I've had a pretty challenging period with injuries honestly," the athlete commented.

"I longed for being in this team, I know there's much talk about me not necessarily being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this team and this feels like home.

"Whenever I get to play for Ireland it's a honor, if you don't put in a good showing you might not get that privilege again.

"My whole focus this period was to go out and do what I can do."

Manager declared: 'Excellent players require no excuses'

After 28 appearances on the wing, Hansen was entrusted the number 15 position for the first time with multiple players injured.

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

The 28-year-old had been in superb condition before injury ended his dream of joining the international team.

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

Farrell had suggested that the player was especially motivated and these turned out to be not empty statements as the ex- club player gave his manager a welcome selection dilemma for upcoming games.

"So my initial thoughts were, 'You need to perform well in those two colored boots!'," said the coach, alluding to Hansen's decision to sport mismatched footwear.

"In fact I thought that was appropriate but it seems Mack just did that personally regardless. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the match, 'Good players require no excuses, they can perform and just play naturally, you can win the man of the match if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"So he's that type of player, he prepares thoroughly, he's got a excellent attitude to understand his preparation and thus that's why he slotted straight back in and he was capable to perform naturally because of that."

Hansen's performance also received commendation from the opposing manager, who remarked he was the "standout opposition performer" on the evening.

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

"Regrettably, Mack was probably the standout Australian performer on the field. He's has a excellent ability and he's such a good contender."

When asked about what enables Hansen a strong option at the number 15 position, the coach continued: "Appearing in the middle of the pitch is something that he does from the wing regardless, but I suppose he's more in place for that more often.

"The player's aerial work was excellent, wasn't it? I thought we didn't get bored of doing the right approach and that was putting the ball back on them to secure territory.

"The reason that was the correct strategy to do is since it's the players of Mackie who was getting the balls returned, and additional teammates, so [it's] quite satisfying."

Outside the star performer, there were numerous encouraging aspects for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his return to the number 10 jersey, the scrum and throw-in operated effectively and another player did not look out of place in his first appearance in the front row.

But possibly more pleasing for Farrell was Ireland bookending the match with multiple impressive spells.

The player's initial two scores occurred in the opening eleven moments while additional teammates registered in the closing stages after the opposition had scored, ensuring the home side concluded on a positive note.

"I thought we truly let ourselves go and attacked the game right from the beginning," said the coach.

"The way we managed numerous aspects throughout the match, especially them responding just before the break and regathering ourselves and giving a performance like we achieved in the later stages, I thought as far as territory and being familiar with the majority of our game in that second half was really satisfying."

The strength of the Springboks are awaiting for the team, in what could be viewed as an unofficial conclusion to last year's drawn multiple match series on rival territory.

The coach's team will require to attain another level to defeat the back-to-back title holders, but Saturday's defeat of the Australian team was a important advancement in the right path after an uninspiring start to their fall campaign.