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After last week's underwhelming showing against the Japanese team, the head coach challenged his Ireland squad to improve their game.

The team listened immediately.

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

However, against Australia, they started strongly, with the talented back shining most prominently during a comprehensive triumph that marked the team's finest performance this year.

Making his debut international appearance at full-back, the player registered a hat-trick, contested excellently for aerial challenges and performed outstandingly against the country of his birth.

"You know, I've experienced a pretty challenging period with injuries really," Hansen commented.

"I longed for being in this team, I know there's considerable talk about me not exactly being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this team and this seems like family.

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

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

Coach stated: 'Good athletes require no excuses'

Following twenty-eight caps on the wing, the player was entrusted the number 15 role for the initial time with multiple 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 physical issues ended his aspiration of making the international squad.

After come back last month, he developed a foot injury that ruled him out for earlier fixtures.

The coach had indicated that Hansen was particularly determined and these proved not empty statements as the former club player gave his coach a positive team dilemma for future matches.

"Well my initial thoughts were, 'You need to play excellently in those different colored boots!'," said the coach, alluding to Hansen's decision to wear mismatched footwear.

"In fact I believed that was fitting but apparently Mack just did that himself anyway. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes don't need excuses, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can get the player of the game if you want,' and he went, 'Yes, I agree.'

"So he's that type of player, he trains well, he's has a excellent approach to understand his preparation and so that's why he slotted straight back in and he was able to be himself because of that."

Hansen's performance also earned commendation from the rival manager, who remarked he was the "exceptional Australian player" on the night.

"In my view he was super, his experience showed to the fore," commented the ex- international manager.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was probably the best Australian performer on the field. He's has a great skillset and he's such a good contender."

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

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

"The reason that was the right thing to do is because it's the likes of Hansen who was getting the possessions returned, and other teammates, so [it's] quite satisfying."

Beyond the star performer, there were multiple positives for the coach.

Another player was outstanding on his return to the number 10 position, the scrum and line-out functioned effectively and another teammate did not appear uncomfortable in his debut appearance in the front row.

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

Hansen's initial two scores occurred in the first eleven minutes while other players scored in the closing exchanges after the other team had scored, guaranteeing the home side concluded on a positive note.

"In my opinion we really let ourselves go and attacked the match right from the beginning," stated the coach.

"How we handled numerous elements during the game, especially the opposition responding just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and producing a performance like we did in the second half, I believed as far as territory and being familiar with most of our game in that later period was really satisfying."

The might of the Springboks are next up for Ireland, in what might be considered as an informal conclusion to the previous season's tied two-Test contest on rival territory.

Farrell's side will need to attain a higher standard to beat the consecutive title holders, but the recent victory of the Australian team was a important step in the correct direction after an uninspiring start to their fall schedule.