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Following their previous disappointing showing against Japan, the head coach challenged his Ireland team to step up their game.

The team responded immediately.

Ireland had struggled late against New Zealand and required considerable time to get going versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, facing Australia, they began powerfully, with the talented back excelling brightest during a 46-19 triumph that represented Ireland's finest performance this year.

In his debut international appearance at full-back, Hansen registered a three tries, contested brilliantly for aerial challenges and performed exceptionally against the country of his birth.

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

"I longed for being in this squad, I know there's considerable discussion about me not exactly being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this group and this feels like home.

"Whenever I have to play for the national team it's a privilege, if you don't put in a good showing you might not receive that opportunity again.

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

Coach declared: 'Good players require no excuses'

After twenty-eight caps on the flank, the player was entrusted the number 15 role for the initial time with multiple teammates injured.

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

The 28-year-old had been in superb condition before physical issues disrupted his dream of making the Test team.

Having come back recently, he suffered a foot problem that ruled him out for previous fixtures.

The coach had indicated that Hansen was especially determined and these turned out to be not hollow words as the former club player gave his manager a welcome selection headache for upcoming games.

"So my first reaction were, 'You better play well in those two colored boots!'," commented Farrell, referring to Hansen's decision to wear mismatched footwear.

"Actually I thought that was appropriate but it seems Mack just made that personally regardless. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the game, 'Good players don't need excuses, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can win the man of the match if you want,' and he responded, 'Yes, I agree.'

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

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

"In my view he was outstanding, his knowledge was evident to the fore," commented the ex- national coach.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was likely the standout opposition performer on the pitch. He's got a great skillset and he's such a strong contender."

Pressed about what makes the player a good option at full-back, the coach added: "Showing up in the center of the pitch is something that he does from the wing anyway, but I imagine he's more in place for that frequently.

"The player's aerial work was brilliant, don't you think? I believed we didn't get bored of executing the right approach and that was placing the possession again on them to gain field position.

"The reason that was the correct thing to do is since it's the likes of Hansen who was getting the possessions returned, and additional players, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Outside the star performer, there were multiple encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his return to the number 10 jersey, the set piece and line-out functioned effectively and another player did not appear out of place in his debut appearance in the forwards.

But perhaps most pleasing for the manager was Ireland framing the game with two strong spells.

Hansen's first two scores occurred in the first 11 minutes while other teammates registered in the final exchanges after the opposition had crossed, guaranteeing the home team concluded on a high.

"I thought we really performed freely and approached the game straight from the beginning," said the coach.

"How we managed various aspects throughout the match, particularly the opposition responding just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and producing a display like we did in the later stages, I believed as far as field position and being familiar with most of our strategy in that second half was really pleasing."

The strength of South Africa are next up for Ireland, in what could be considered as an unofficial decider to the previous season's drawn two-Test series on rival soil.

Farrell's team will need to attain a higher level to defeat the consecutive title holders, but Saturday's victory of the Wallabies was a important step in the right path after an uninspiring start to their fall campaign.