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After last week's disappointing showing against the Japanese team, the head coach challenged his Irish squad to step up their game.

The team responded right away.

The Irish side had struggled late against New Zealand and required considerable time to get going versus Japan.

However, against the Wallabies, they started powerfully, with the talented back shining most prominently during a comprehensive triumph that marked Ireland's best performance this year.

In his first test match appearance at full-back, the player scored a hat-trick, competed brilliantly for aerial challenges and played outstandingly against the country of his origin.

"Look, I've experienced a fairly challenging run with fitness issues really," Hansen stated.

"I longed for being in this team, I understand there's considerable discussion about me not exactly being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this group and this seems like home.

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

"My entire approach this period was to go out and perform what I can do."

Manager declared: 'Excellent athletes require no excuses'

Following 28 appearances on the wing, Hansen was given the full-back position for the initial time with multiple players unavailable.

For him, it was simply a case of picking up where he left off during the summer.

The experienced player had been in superb condition before physical issues disrupted his dream of joining the international squad.

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

The coach had suggested that the player was especially determined and these turned out to be not hollow words as the ex- provincial player gave his coach a positive selection dilemma for future games.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You better play excellently in those different colored shoes!'," commented Farrell, referring to Hansen's decision to sport different boots.

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

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

"So he's that kind of player, he prepares well, he's has a great approach to understand his preparation and so that's why he fitted straight back in and he was capable to perform naturally due to that."

Hansen's performance also received praise from the rival manager, who stated he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the night.

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

"Unfortunately, Mack was probably the standout opposition performer on the field. He's has a great skillset and he's such a good contender."

Pressed about what makes the player a good option at full-back, the coach added: "Appearing in the middle of the pitch is something that he demonstrates from the wing regardless, but I imagine he's more in position for that more often.

"His high ball play was brilliant, wasn't it? I thought we didn't get bored of executing the right thing and that was putting the possession again on them to gain territory.

"The reason that was the right strategy to do is because it's the likes of Hansen who was getting the possessions back, and other players, so [it's] quite pleasing."

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

Another player was outstanding on his comeback to the number 10 position, the set piece and throw-in operated effectively and different player did not appear out of place in his first appearance in the forwards.

But possibly more pleasing for the manager was the team framing the match with multiple impressive spells.

The player's first two scores came in the opening 11 moments while additional teammates scored in the final exchanges after the opposition had crossed, guaranteeing the Irish side concluded on a positive note.

"In my opinion we really performed freely and approached the match straight from the beginning," stated Farrell.

"The way we handled various aspects during the game, particularly the opposition responding just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and giving a performance like we did in the second half, I thought as far as field position and being familiar with most of our game in that second half was really pleasing."

The might of the Springboks are next up for Ireland, in what might be considered as an unofficial conclusion to last year's tied two-Test contest on rival soil.

The coach's side will need to attain another standard to beat the back-to-back world champions, but Saturday's victory of the Australian team was a significant advancement in the correct path after an disappointing beginning to their fall campaign.