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After their previous underwhelming performance against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell told his Irish team to step up their performance.

Ireland responded right away.

Ireland had struggled in the final stages against the All Blacks and taken considerable time to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

However, facing the Wallabies, they started powerfully, with the talented back excelling brightest during a 46-19 victory that represented the team's best display of the season.

Making his first test match start at the number 15 position, the player scored a three tries, competed excellently for high balls and played outstandingly against the nation of his birth.

"Look, I've experienced a fairly challenging period with fitness issues really," Hansen commented.

"I missed being in this team, I know there's considerable discussion about me not necessarily being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this team and this seems like home.

"Any time I have to represent for Ireland it's a honor, if you don't put in a performance you may not get that privilege again.

"My entire focus this week was to go out and do what I can do."

Manager stated: 'Excellent players don't need justifications'

Following twenty-eight appearances on the wing, Hansen was entrusted the full-back role for the first time with several players injured.

In his case, it was simply a case of picking up where he left off during the summer.

The 28-year-old had been in excellent form before injury ended his dream of joining the Test team.

Having returned last month, he suffered a lower body problem that ruled him out for previous matches.

Farrell had indicated that Hansen was especially determined and these turned out to be not hollow statements as the former club player gave his coach a positive selection headache for future games.

"Well my first reaction were, 'You better perform well in those two coloured shoes!'," commented Farrell, referring to Hansen's decision to wear mismatched boots.

"Actually I thought that was appropriate but apparently Mack just did that himself regardless. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even started.

"I said to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes require no justifications, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can win the player of the game if you want,' and he went, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"So he's that type of performer, he prepares thoroughly, he's has a great attitude to get across his detail and so that's why he fitted right back in and he was able to perform naturally due to that."

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

"In my view he was outstanding, his knowledge was evident to the front," said the former international coach.

"Regrettably, Hansen was likely the standout Australian player on the field. He's got a excellent skillset and he's such a strong contender."

When asked about what enables the player a good option at the number 15 position, Farrell added: "Showing up in the center of the field is something that he demonstrates from the flank anyway, but I imagine he's more in position for that more often.

"His aerial work was brilliant, don't you think? I thought we didn't get bored of executing the right thing and that was putting the ball again on them to secure territory.

"Why that was the correct strategy to do is because it's the players of Mackie who was securing the possessions returned, and other teammates, so [it's] quite pleasing."

Outside Hansen, there were numerous encouraging aspects for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his comeback 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 perhaps most pleasing for the manager was Ireland bookending the match with multiple impressive periods.

The player's initial two tries came in the opening 11 moments while other teammates registered in the final exchanges after the other team had scored, ensuring the home team concluded on a positive note.

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

"The way we managed various elements during the game, especially the opposition coming back just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and producing a performance like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as field position and being across most of our strategy in that second half was really pleasing."

The might of the Springboks are next up for the team, in what might be considered as an informal conclusion to the previous season's tied two-Test series on opposition soil.

Farrell's side will need to reach another level to beat the back-to-back world champions, but the recent defeat of the Australian team was a significant advancement in the right direction after an disappointing start to their autumn schedule.