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Following last week's disappointing performance against Japan, Andy Farrell challenged his Irish squad to improve their performance.

Ireland listened right away.

The Irish side had faded late against New Zealand and taken most of the match to get going versus Japan.

However, against the Wallabies, they began powerfully, with the talented back excelling most prominently during a comprehensive victory that represented Ireland's finest performance of the season.

In his debut international start at full-back, the player scored a three tries, contested excellently for aerial challenges and performed exceptionally against the country of his origin.

"Look, I've experienced a fairly challenging run with injuries honestly," the athlete commented.

"I missed being in this team, I know there's much discussion about me not exactly being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this group and this feels like family.

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

"My entire approach this period was to take the field and do what I could do."

Manager stated: 'Good athletes require no justifications'

After twenty-eight caps on the wing, Hansen was given the full-back role for the first time with several players injured.

In his case, it was simply a matter of continuing where he left off during the summer.

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

After returned last month, he suffered a foot problem that made him unavailable for earlier matches.

Farrell had suggested that Hansen was particularly determined and these proved not empty words as the former club player gave his coach a welcome selection dilemma for upcoming matches.

"So my first reaction were, 'You better play well in those different colored boots!'," commented the coach, referring to the player's decision to sport mismatched boots.

"Actually I thought that was fitting but it seems Mack just made that personally 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 went, 'Yes, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that kind of player, he prepares thoroughly, he's got a great attitude to get across his preparation and thus that's why he fitted right into the team and he was able to be himself because of that."

The player's efforts also received praise from the rival coach, who stated he was the "exceptional Australian performer" on the evening.

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

"Regrettably, Mack was probably the standout opposition performer on the pitch. He's got a great skillset and he's such a good contender."

Pressed about what enables the player a strong fit at the number 15 position, the coach added: "Showing up in the middle of the field is something that he does from the wing anyway, but I imagine he's more in position for that more often.

"His aerial play was brilliant, don't you think? I believed we didn't get bored of executing the right thing and that was putting the possession again on them to secure territory.

"The reason that was the right strategy to do is because it's the likes of Hansen who was securing the possessions back, and additional teammates, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Beyond Hansen, there were numerous positives for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his comeback to the fly-half position, the scrum and throw-in operated effectively and another teammate did not look uncomfortable in his first start in the forwards.

But perhaps more satisfying for the manager was the team bookending the match with multiple impressive spells.

The player's initial couple of tries came in the opening 11 minutes while other players scored in the closing stages after the other team had crossed, ensuring the Irish team finished on a positive note.

"I thought we really performed freely and attacked the match right from the beginning," said Farrell.

"The way we managed various aspects during the game, especially them coming back just before the break and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we did in the second half, I believed as far as territory and being across the majority of our game in that later period was really pleasing."

The might of South Africa are next up for the team, in what could be viewed as an unofficial decider to last year's drawn multiple match series on rival soil.

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