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Following their previous underwhelming showing against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell challenged his Ireland squad to improve their game.

The team responded right away.

Ireland had faded late against New Zealand and taken most of the match to get going versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, against Australia, they started strongly, with the talented back shining most prominently during a comprehensive victory that represented the team's best display this year.

In his debut international appearance at the number 15 position, the player scored a hat-trick, contested excellently for aerial challenges and played outstandingly against the country of his origin.

"You know, I've experienced a pretty challenging period with fitness issues really," Hansen stated.

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

"Whenever I get to represent for the national team it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a performance you might not receive that privilege again.

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

Coach declared: 'Good athletes don't need justifications'

After twenty-eight appearances on the wing, Hansen was entrusted the number 15 role for the initial time with multiple players injured.

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

The 28-year-old had been in superb condition before physical issues ended his aspiration of joining the international squad.

After returned recently, he developed a lower body problem that made him unavailable for earlier matches.

The coach had suggested that the player was especially motivated and these proved not empty words as the former club player gave his coach a positive selection dilemma for upcoming games.

"So my initial reaction were, 'You need to perform well in those two colored shoes!'," said Farrell, alluding to the player's choice to wear mismatched boots.

"In fact I thought that was appropriate but apparently Mack just did that himself regardless. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I said to him before the match, 'Good players don't need justifications, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can win the player of the game if you choose,' and he went, 'Yes, I agree.'

"So he's that type of performer, he prepares well, he's got a great approach to get across his detail and thus that's why he fitted straight into the team and he was able to perform naturally because of that."

The player's performance also earned praise from the rival coach, who remarked he was the "standout Australian performer" on the night.

"I thought he was outstanding, his experience was evident to the front," said the ex- international manager.

"Regrettably, Hansen was probably the best Australian performer on the pitch. He's got a great ability and he's such a strong contender."

Pressed about what makes Hansen a good option at full-back, Farrell continued: "Appearing in the middle of the pitch is a trait that he does from the wing anyway, but I suppose he's better in position for that more often.

"The player's aerial play was brilliant, don't you think? I believed we didn't get bored of doing the correct approach and that was putting the ball again on them to gain territory.

"The reason that was the right thing to do is because it's the players of Mackie who was getting the balls returned, and other players, so [it's] quite satisfying."

Beyond the star performer, there were multiple encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Another player was excellent on his comeback to the fly-half jersey, the set piece and line-out operated effectively and different teammate did not look out of place in his debut start in the forwards.

But perhaps more pleasing for Farrell was Ireland framing the match with two strong periods.

Hansen's first couple of scores came in the opening eleven minutes while additional teammates registered in the final exchanges after the opposition had crossed, ensuring the Irish side finished on a high.

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

"The way we managed various aspects throughout the game, particularly them coming back just before half-time and regathering ourselves and giving a performance like we did in the later stages, I believed as far as field position and being familiar with the majority of our game in that second half was really pleasing."

The might of the Springboks are next up for Ireland, in what might be considered as an informal decider to last year's tied two-Test contest on opposition soil.

Farrell's team will require to reach a higher standard to beat the consecutive title holders, but the recent defeat of the Australian team was a significant step in the correct path after an uninspiring beginning to their fall campaign.