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After their previous underwhelming performance against the Japanese team, the head coach told his Ireland squad to step up their performance.

The team listened immediately.

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

Nevertheless, facing Australia, they began strongly, with the talented back shining brightest during a comprehensive victory that represented the team's finest display of the season.

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

"You know, I've experienced a fairly difficult run with fitness issues honestly," the athlete commented.

"I missed being in this team, I know there's much talk about me not exactly being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this team and this seems like family.

"Any time I have to represent for Ireland it's a honor, if you don't put in a performance you may not receive that opportunity again.

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

Manager stated: 'Excellent athletes don't need justifications'

After 28 appearances on the flank, Hansen was given the number 15 position for the first time with several teammates unavailable.

For him, it was essentially a case of continuing where he left off during the summer.

The experienced player had been in superb form before injury ended his dream of making the Test team.

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

Farrell had indicated that Hansen was especially motivated and these proved not hollow words as the former club player gave his manager a welcome selection headache for future games.

"Well my first reaction were, 'You need to play well in those different coloured shoes!'," commented the coach, alluding to the player's decision to wear mismatched boots.

"In fact I thought that was fitting but it seems Mack just made that himself anyway. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I said to him before the game, 'Good players require no justifications, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can get the man of the match if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yes, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that type of player, he prepares well, he's got a excellent attitude to get across his detail and thus that's why he fitted right back in and he was capable to be himself because of that."

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

"I thought he was outstanding, his experience was evident to the front," said the former national manager.

"Unfortunately, Mack was probably the standout Australian performer on the pitch. He's got a excellent ability and he's such a good competitor."

When asked about what enables Hansen a strong option at the number 15 position, the coach added: "Appearing in the middle of the pitch is a trait that he does from the wing regardless, but I suppose he's better in position for that more often.

"His aerial work was brilliant, wasn't it? I thought we didn't get bored of executing the correct approach and that was putting the possession back on them to secure field position.

"Why that was the correct strategy to do is since it's the players of Hansen who was securing the possessions returned, and other players, so [it's] quite pleasing."

Outside Hansen, there were numerous positives for the coach.

Another player was outstanding on his return to the fly-half jersey, the set piece and line-out operated smoothly and another player did not appear out of place in his debut appearance in the front row.

But possibly more satisfying for the manager was the team framing the match with multiple strong spells.

Hansen's initial couple of scores occurred in the opening eleven moments while additional teammates scored in the closing stages after the other team had crossed, guaranteeing the home side concluded on a positive note.

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

"The way we managed various elements during the game, especially them coming back just before half-time and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we achieved in the second half, I believed as far as territory and being across most of our strategy in that second half was really satisfying."

The strength of South Africa are awaiting for Ireland, in what could be viewed as an unofficial decider to last year's tied multiple match series on rival territory.

The coach's team will need to attain a higher standard to defeat the consecutive title holders, but Saturday's victory of the Australian team was a significant advancement in the correct direction after an disappointing beginning to their fall schedule.