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

Ireland listened immediately.

The Irish side had struggled in the final stages against New Zealand and taken considerable time to find their rhythm versus Japan.

Nevertheless, against the Wallabies, they started powerfully, with the talented back shining brightest during a 46-19 victory that marked Ireland's best display of the season.

In his debut international appearance at the number 15 position, Hansen scored a three tries, contested brilliantly for aerial challenges and performed outstandingly against the nation of his birth.

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

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

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

"My entire focus this period was to take the field and do what I can do."

Coach declared: 'Good players require no excuses'

Following 28 caps on the flank, the player was given the number 15 role for the initial time with multiple teammates injured.

For him, it was essentially a matter of picking up where he finished during the summer.

The 28-year-old had been in superb form before injury disrupted his dream of joining the international team.

Having returned recently, he developed a lower body injury that made him unavailable for previous matches.

The coach had indicated that the player was particularly determined and these proved not empty statements as the ex- provincial player gave his manager a positive team dilemma for future matches.

"So my initial thoughts were, 'You better play well in those two coloured boots!'," said Farrell, alluding to the player's decision to wear different boots.

"Actually I thought that was fitting but apparently Mack just made that personally regardless. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even started.

"I said to him before the game, 'Excellent players require no excuses, they can perform and just play naturally, you can win the man of the match if you want,' and he went, 'Yes, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that kind of performer, he trains well, he's got a great attitude to get across his detail and so that's why he slotted right into the team and he was capable to perform naturally because of that."

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

"In my view he was outstanding, his experience showed to the front," commented the former national manager.

"Unfortunately, Mack was likely the best Australian performer on the field. He's got a great skillset and he's such a good competitor."

Pressed about what makes the player a strong fit at full-back, Farrell continued: "Showing up in the center of the pitch is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing regardless, but I suppose he's better in position for that more often.

"The player's aerial work was excellent, don't you think? I thought we persisted of doing the right approach and that was placing the possession again on them to secure field position.

"The reason that was the correct thing to do is because it's the players of Hansen who was getting the possessions back, and additional teammates, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

Beyond Hansen, there were numerous encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his comeback to the fly-half jersey, the set piece and throw-in operated effectively and another teammate did not look out of place in his first start in the front row.

But possibly more satisfying for Farrell was the team bookending the match with multiple strong periods.

Hansen's first two scores came in the opening 11 moments while other players registered in the closing exchanges after the other team had scored, guaranteeing the home team finished on a high.

"I thought we really let ourselves go and approached the match straight from the word go," stated Farrell.

"The way we handled various aspects throughout the game, particularly the opposition responding just before the break and regathering 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 strategy in that later period was truly satisfying."

The might of the Springboks are awaiting for Ireland, in what might be viewed as an unofficial decider to the previous season's drawn multiple match contest on rival soil.

Farrell's team will require to attain another level to beat the back-to-back world champions, but Saturday's defeat of the Australian team was a significant step in the right path after an uninspiring start to their fall campaign.