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Following their previous underwhelming showing against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell challenged his Ireland squad to step up their game.

Ireland responded immediately.

The Irish side had faded late against New Zealand and required most of the match to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

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

In his first international start at full-back, Hansen scored a three tries, competed excellently for aerial challenges and played outstandingly against the country of his origin.

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

"I missed being in this squad, I know there's much talk about me not exactly being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this team and this seems like home.

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

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

Manager declared: 'Good athletes don't need excuses'

After twenty-eight caps on the wing, Hansen was entrusted the full-back role for the initial time with several players unavailable.

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

The 28-year-old had been in excellent form before injury disrupted his aspiration of making the international team.

After come back recently, he developed a foot injury that ruled him out for previous matches.

Farrell had indicated that Hansen was especially determined and these proved not hollow words as the former provincial player gave his coach a positive selection dilemma for future games.

"So my first reaction were, 'You better perform excellently in those two coloured boots!'," said Farrell, referring to Hansen's decision to sport mismatched boots.

"In fact I thought that was appropriate but apparently Mack just made that personally regardless. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even started.

"I said to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes don't need justifications, they can perform and just be themselves, you can get the man of the match if you choose,' and he went, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"So he's that kind of player, he prepares well, he's got a great approach to get across his detail and thus that's why he slotted straight back in and he was able to be himself because of that."

The player's efforts also earned praise from the rival manager, who stated he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the night.

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

"Regrettably, Mack was likely the standout Australian performer on the field. He's got a excellent ability and he's such a strong competitor."

Pressed about what makes Hansen a good option at full-back, the coach added: "Showing up in the middle of the pitch is something that he demonstrates from the flank regardless, but I suppose he's more in place for that more often.

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

"Why that was the correct thing to do is since it's the likes of Hansen 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 excellent on his comeback to the number 10 position, the scrum and throw-in operated effectively and different player did not appear out of place in his debut appearance in the forwards.

But perhaps more satisfying for Farrell was the team framing the game with multiple impressive periods.

Hansen's initial two tries occurred in the opening 11 moments while other players scored in the closing exchanges after the opposition had scored, ensuring the Irish team concluded on a high.

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

"How we managed various elements throughout the match, particularly them coming back just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and producing a performance like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as field position and being familiar with the majority of our strategy in that second half was truly pleasing."

The might of South Africa are awaiting for the team, in what could be considered as an unofficial decider to last year's tied two-Test contest on opposition territory.

The coach's side will need to attain another standard to beat the consecutive world champions, but the recent defeat of the Australian team was a important advancement in the correct direction after an disappointing start to their autumn schedule.