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Following their previous underwhelming showing against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell told his Irish squad to improve their game.

Ireland responded right away.

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

Nevertheless, facing the Wallabies, they began powerfully, with the talented back excelling most prominently during a comprehensive triumph that marked Ireland's finest performance of the season.

In his debut test match appearance at the number 15 position, Hansen registered a three tries, contested excellently for aerial challenges and performed outstandingly against the nation of his origin.

"You know, I've experienced a pretty difficult run with injuries honestly," the athlete commented.

"I missed being in this squad, I understand there's considerable discussion about me not exactly being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this team and this feels like home.

"Any time I have to play for the national team it's a honor, if you don't put in a performance you may not receive that opportunity again.

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

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

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

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

The experienced player had been in superb form before injury ended his aspiration of joining the international team.

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

The coach had indicated that the player was particularly motivated and these turned out to be not empty words as the former club player gave his coach a positive team headache for upcoming games.

"So my first reaction were, 'You need to perform well in those different coloured boots!'," commented the coach, alluding to Hansen's decision to sport mismatched footwear.

"Actually I thought that was appropriate but apparently Hansen just did that personally anyway. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I said to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes don't need excuses, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can get the man of the match if you choose,' and he went, 'Yes, I agree.'

"So he's that kind of performer, he trains well, he's got a excellent attitude to understand his preparation and so that's why he slotted straight back in and he was able to perform naturally due to that."

Hansen's performance also earned commendation from the rival manager, who stated he was the "standout opposition performer" on the night.

"In my view he was super, his experience was evident to the front," commented the former international coach.

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

Pressed about what makes the player a good option at full-back, Farrell added: "Showing up in the middle of the field is a trait that he does from the wing regardless, but I suppose he's better in position for that more often.

"His aerial work was excellent, don't you think? I thought we didn't get bored of doing the correct approach and that was placing the ball again on them to gain territory.

"Why that was the right strategy to do is because it's the players of Hansen who was getting the possessions returned, and additional players, so [it's] quite pleasing."

Beyond the star performer, there were multiple encouraging aspects for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his return to the number 10 jersey, the scrum and line-out operated effectively and different teammate did not appear uncomfortable in his first start in the front row.

But possibly most satisfying for the manager was the team framing the match with multiple strong periods.

The player's initial two scores occurred in the first 11 moments while other players registered in the final stages after the other team had scored, guaranteeing the home side finished on a high.

"In my opinion we truly performed freely and approached the match straight from the word go," said Farrell.

"The way we handled numerous aspects during the game, particularly the opposition responding just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and giving a performance like we did in the later stages, I believed as far as field position and being familiar with the majority of our game in that later period was really pleasing."

The might of the Springboks are awaiting for the team, in what could be viewed as an informal decider to last year's drawn two-Test series on rival soil.

Farrell's side will need to reach another standard to defeat the consecutive world champions, but Saturday's victory of the Australian team was a significant step in the correct path after an disappointing beginning to their autumn schedule.