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After their previous disappointing performance against Japan, Andy Farrell told his Irish team to step up their performance.

The team responded right away.

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

However, against the Wallabies, they began strongly, with the talented back shining brightest during a 46-19 victory that represented Ireland's best display this year.

Making his debut international appearance at full-back, Hansen registered a hat-trick, competed brilliantly for high balls and performed outstandingly against the nation of his birth.

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

"I missed being in this team, I understand there's much talk about me not exactly being raised here and I didn't grow up 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 fail to deliver a good showing you may not receive that privilege again.

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

Coach stated: 'Good athletes require no justifications'

After twenty-eight caps on the flank, the player was given the number 15 position for the first time with multiple teammates injured.

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

The 28-year-old had been in excellent condition before physical issues disrupted his aspiration of joining the Test team.

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

Farrell had indicated that Hansen was especially determined and these proved not empty statements as the former provincial player gave his manager a welcome team headache for upcoming games.

"So my initial reaction were, 'You better perform excellently in those different coloured boots!'," commented the coach, referring to Hansen's choice to wear mismatched boots.

"Actually I believed that was appropriate but apparently Hansen just did that himself anyway. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even begun.

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

"Therefore he's that kind of player, he trains well, he's got a great attitude to get across his detail and thus that's why he fitted right into the team and he was capable to be himself because of that."

The player's efforts also earned commendation from the opposing coach, who stated he was the "standout opposition performer" on the night.

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

"Regrettably, Mack was probably the standout opposition performer on the pitch. He's has a excellent skillset and he's such a good competitor."

Pressed about what makes Hansen a strong fit at full-back, Farrell added: "Appearing in the center of the field is something that he demonstrates from the wing anyway, but I imagine he's better in place for that frequently.

"The player's aerial work was brilliant, don't you think? I thought we didn't get bored of executing the right thing and that was placing the possession back on them to secure field position.

"The reason that was the right thing to do is since it's the players of Hansen who was getting the balls back, and additional players, so [it's] quite satisfying."

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

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his comeback to the fly-half position, the scrum and throw-in functioned smoothly and another teammate did not appear uncomfortable in his debut appearance in the forwards.

But possibly most pleasing for the manager was the team bookending the match with two strong periods.

Hansen's first couple of tries occurred in the opening 11 minutes while other teammates scored in the closing exchanges after the other team had scored, guaranteeing the home team finished on a high.

"I thought we truly performed freely and approached the match right from the beginning," stated Farrell.

"How we handled numerous elements throughout the match, particularly the opposition coming back just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and producing a display like we did in the later stages, I believed as far as territory and being familiar with most of our game in that later period was truly pleasing."

The might of the Springboks are awaiting for the team, in what could be considered as an informal decider to the previous season's drawn multiple match series on rival soil.

Farrell's team will need to attain a higher standard to defeat the consecutive title holders, but the recent defeat of the Wallabies was a important advancement in the correct direction after an disappointing beginning to their autumn schedule.