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After their previous underwhelming performance against Japan, Andy Farrell challenged his Irish team to improve their performance.

Ireland listened right away.

The Irish side had struggled late against the All Blacks and required considerable time to find their rhythm versus Japan.

However, against Australia, they started strongly, with the talented back excelling most prominently during a 46-19 victory that marked Ireland's finest performance of the season.

In his first test match start at the number 15 position, Hansen registered a hat-trick, contested brilliantly for high balls and performed exceptionally against the nation of his origin.

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

"I longed for being in this team, 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 home.

"Any time I have to represent for Ireland it's a privilege, if you fail to deliver a performance you might not receive that opportunity again.

"My whole focus this week was to take the field and do what I can do."

Manager declared: 'Good players require no excuses'

After 28 appearances on the flank, the player was entrusted the number 15 position for the initial time with several teammates injured.

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

The 28-year-old had been in excellent condition before physical issues ended his dream of joining the international team.

Having come back recently, he developed a foot problem that made him unavailable for previous fixtures.

The coach had suggested that Hansen was especially determined and these turned out to be not empty statements as the former club player gave his coach a positive team dilemma for future games.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You better play excellently in those two colored boots!'," said the coach, referring to the player's decision to sport different boots.

"In fact I believed that was fitting but apparently Hansen just made that himself regardless. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the game, 'Excellent players require no excuses, they can perform and just be themselves, you can get the player of the game if you choose,' and he went, 'Yes, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that kind of player, he prepares thoroughly, he's has a great attitude to understand his preparation and thus that's why he slotted straight into the team and he was capable to perform naturally due to that."

The player's performance also received praise from the opposing manager, who stated he was the "exceptional Australian performer" on the night.

"I thought he was outstanding, his experience showed to the fore," commented the ex- national coach.

"Regrettably, Mack was likely the standout opposition performer on the pitch. He's has a excellent skillset and he's such a strong contender."

Pressed about what makes Hansen a good fit at full-back, Farrell continued: "Showing up in the center of the field is something that he does from the flank regardless, but I suppose he's better in place for that frequently.

"The player's high ball play was excellent, don't you think? I thought we persisted of doing the correct thing and that was placing the possession again on them to secure territory.

"The reason that was the correct strategy to do is since it's the likes of Mackie who was securing the balls returned, and additional players, so [it's] quite satisfying."

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

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his comeback to the number 10 position, the set piece and line-out operated effectively and another teammate did not appear uncomfortable in his debut appearance in the forwards.

But perhaps more pleasing for Farrell was Ireland framing the game with multiple impressive spells.

The player's first couple of tries came in the first 11 minutes while additional players scored in the final stages after the opposition had scored, guaranteeing the home team finished on a high.

"In my opinion we really performed freely and approached the match right from the word go," stated the coach.

"The way we handled various aspects during the game, especially them responding just before the break and regathering ourselves and giving a performance like we did in the second half, I believed as far as field position and being familiar with the majority of our strategy in that later period was really satisfying."

The might of South Africa are next up for Ireland, in what might be viewed as an informal conclusion to last year's drawn multiple match contest on opposition soil.

Farrell's side will require to reach another standard to defeat the consecutive world champions, but Saturday's defeat of the Wallabies was a significant step in the correct direction after an disappointing start to their fall campaign.