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After their previous disappointing showing against Japan, the head coach challenged his Irish squad to improve their game.

The team listened right away.

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

Nevertheless, facing the Wallabies, they began strongly, with the talented back shining most prominently during a comprehensive triumph that marked the team's best performance of the season.

Making his first test match start at full-back, the player registered a hat-trick, contested excellently for high balls and played exceptionally against the country of his birth.

"You know, I've had a fairly challenging run with fitness issues honestly," Hansen stated.

"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 love this team and this feels like family.

"Any time I have to play for the national team it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a performance you may not get that opportunity again.

"My entire focus this period was to take the field and perform what I could do."

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

After twenty-eight appearances on the flank, Hansen was entrusted the number 15 position for the first time with several players unavailable.

For him, it was simply a case of continuing where he finished during the summer.

The 28-year-old had been in superb form before physical issues disrupted his dream of joining the Test squad.

Having come back last month, he developed a foot injury that made him unavailable for previous matches.

Farrell had indicated 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 headache for upcoming matches.

"So my initial reaction were, 'You need to play well in those different coloured boots!'," commented Farrell, referring to Hansen's decision to wear different boots.

"Actually I believed that was fitting but apparently Mack just made that himself regardless. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even started.

"I said to him before the match, 'Good players don't need excuses, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can get the player of the game if you choose,' and he went, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that kind of player, he trains well, he's got a excellent approach to understand his detail and thus that's why he fitted straight into the team and he was able to be himself because of that."

Hansen's performance also received commendation from the rival manager, who stated he was the "standout opposition player" on the evening.

"In my view he was super, his knowledge showed to the fore," said the former national manager.

"Regrettably, Mack was probably the standout opposition player on the field. He's has a excellent ability and he's such a strong competitor."

When asked about what enables the player a strong option at full-back, the coach added: "Appearing in the middle of the pitch is a trait that he does from the flank regardless, but I imagine he's more in place for that frequently.

"His aerial play was brilliant, wasn't it? I thought we didn't get bored of executing the correct thing and that was placing the possession again on them to gain field position.

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

Beyond Hansen, there were multiple positives for Farrell.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his return to the number 10 jersey, the scrum and line-out operated smoothly and different teammate did not look uncomfortable in his first appearance in the forwards.

But perhaps most satisfying for Farrell was Ireland bookending the match with multiple impressive periods.

Hansen's initial two tries occurred in the opening eleven moments while additional teammates registered in the final stages after the other team had crossed, ensuring the home side concluded on a high.

"In my opinion we truly performed freely and approached the match right from the beginning," stated the coach.

"How we handled numerous aspects throughout the game, especially the opposition coming back just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and giving a performance like we achieved in the later stages, I thought as far as field position and being familiar with the majority of our game in that later period was truly pleasing."

The strength of South Africa are awaiting for Ireland, in what might be considered as an informal conclusion to last year's drawn two-Test series on rival soil.

The coach's side will require to attain another standard to beat the consecutive world champions, but the recent victory of the Wallabies was a significant step in the correct path after an disappointing beginning to their fall campaign.