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Following last week's disappointing performance against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell challenged his Irish squad to step up their game.

Ireland listened immediately.

Ireland had struggled in the final stages against New Zealand and required most of the match to get going versus Japan.

However, facing Australia, they began powerfully, with the talented back excelling most prominently during a comprehensive triumph that represented the team's best performance this year.

Making his debut test match appearance at full-back, Hansen scored a hat-trick, contested excellently for high balls and performed outstandingly against the country of his birth.

"You know, I've had a fairly difficult run with injuries really," Hansen commented.

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

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

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

Manager declared: 'Excellent athletes require no justifications'

After 28 appearances on the wing, Hansen was entrusted the number 15 role for the initial time with multiple teammates unavailable.

In his case, it was essentially a matter of picking up where he finished during the summer.

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

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

Farrell had suggested that the player was especially motivated and these proved not empty statements as the ex- club player gave his manager a welcome team dilemma for future matches.

"So my initial thoughts were, 'You need to perform excellently in those two colored shoes!'," said the coach, referring to Hansen's choice to sport different footwear.

"Actually I believed that was fitting but apparently Hansen just did that himself anyway. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the game, 'Good players require no excuses, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can get the man of the match if you want,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"So he's that kind of performer, he trains thoroughly, he's got a excellent attitude to understand his preparation and thus that's why he slotted right back in and he was capable to perform naturally due to that."

Hansen's performance also earned praise from the opposing coach, who stated he was the "exceptional Australian player" on the evening.

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

"Regrettably, Hansen was likely the best opposition player on the field. He's got a excellent skillset and he's such a strong contender."

Pressed about what enables the player a strong fit at full-back, the coach continued: "Appearing in the center of the pitch is something that he demonstrates from the flank regardless, but I suppose he's better in place for that more often.

"The player's aerial work was brilliant, wasn't it? I believed we didn't get bored of doing the right approach and that was putting the ball back on them to secure field position.

"Why that was the right strategy to do is because it's the players of Mackie who was getting the possessions returned, and additional teammates, so [it's] quite pleasing."

Outside 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 throw-in operated effectively and different teammate did not look uncomfortable in his debut start in the front row.

But perhaps most satisfying for the manager was Ireland framing the match with multiple impressive periods.

The player's initial two scores occurred in the opening eleven minutes while additional players scored in the closing exchanges after the other team had scored, guaranteeing the home team concluded on a high.

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

"The way we managed various aspects during the game, especially them responding just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and giving a display like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as territory and being familiar with most of our strategy in that second half was really pleasing."

The might of South Africa are awaiting for the team, in what could be viewed as an informal decider to last year's drawn two-Test contest on opposition soil.

Farrell's side will require to attain a higher level to defeat the consecutive title holders, but Saturday's defeat of the Wallabies was a significant step in the right path after an uninspiring beginning to their autumn campaign.