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After last week's underwhelming performance against Japan, Andy Farrell told his Ireland squad to step up their game.

Ireland listened right away.

The Irish side had faded in the final stages against the All Blacks and taken considerable time to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, against Australia, they began strongly, with the talented back shining most prominently during a 46-19 triumph that marked Ireland's best performance of the season.

In his first test match start at the number 15 position, the player registered a hat-trick, contested brilliantly for aerial challenges and played outstandingly against the nation of his origin.

"You know, I've had a fairly challenging run with fitness issues really," the athlete commented.

"I longed for being in this team, I understand there's much talk about me not necessarily being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this group and this seems like home.

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

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

Manager stated: 'Good athletes require no excuses'

After 28 caps on the wing, Hansen was given the number 15 role for the initial time with multiple teammates unavailable.

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

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

After come back last month, he developed a lower body problem that ruled him out for previous matches.

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

"So my first reaction were, 'You need to play excellently in those different colored shoes!'," said Farrell, referring to Hansen's choice to wear different footwear.

"In fact I believed that was appropriate but apparently Hansen just did that himself regardless. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the match, 'Good athletes don't need justifications, they can perform and just be themselves, you can get the player of the game if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yes, I agree.'

"So he's that kind of player, he trains thoroughly, he's got a great attitude to get across his detail and thus that's why he slotted right into the team and he was able to be himself due to that."

Hansen's efforts also earned commendation from the opposing manager, who stated he was the "standout Australian player" on the night.

"In my view he was super, his experience was evident to the fore," said the ex- national manager.

"Regrettably, Mack was probably the best opposition player on the field. He's has a great skillset and he's such a strong contender."

When asked about what makes the player a good option at full-back, Farrell added: "Appearing in the middle of the field is something that he demonstrates from the wing anyway, but I imagine he's better in position for that more often.

"The player's high ball work was excellent, wasn't it? I believed we didn't get bored of doing the right approach and that was placing the possession back on them to gain territory.

"Why that was the correct thing to do is because it's the players of Hansen who was securing the balls returned, and other players, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

Beyond Hansen, there were numerous encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Another player was outstanding on his comeback to the number 10 jersey, the scrum and throw-in operated effectively and another teammate did not look out of place in his first appearance in the forwards.

But possibly more pleasing for the manager was the team framing the game with multiple strong spells.

The player's first two tries came in the opening 11 minutes while other players scored in the closing exchanges after the other team had crossed, guaranteeing the Irish side finished on a positive note.

"I thought we truly let ourselves go and attacked the match straight from the word go," stated Farrell.

"How we managed various elements during the match, particularly them coming back just before the break and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we did in the later stages, I thought as far as territory and being familiar with the majority of our game in that later period was truly satisfying."

The might of the Springboks are next up for Ireland, in what could be viewed as an informal decider to last year's drawn two-Test contest on opposition territory.

The coach's team will need to attain another level to beat the back-to-back world champions, but the recent victory of the Australian team was a important step in the correct path after an uninspiring beginning to their autumn campaign.