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Following last week's underwhelming showing against Japan, Andy Farrell told his Irish squad to step up their performance.

The team responded right away.

The Irish side had faded in the final stages against New Zealand and taken most of the match to get going versus their Asian opponents.

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

Making his debut international appearance at full-back, the player registered a three tries, competed excellently for high balls and played exceptionally against the nation of his origin.

"Look, I've experienced a pretty challenging period with fitness issues honestly," Hansen stated.

"I longed for being in this team, I understand there's much discussion about me not necessarily being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this team and this seems like family.

"Any time I have to represent for the national team it's a privilege, if you fail to deliver a good showing you might not get that privilege again.

"My whole focus this period was to go out and perform what I can do."

Manager declared: 'Good players require no excuses'

After twenty-eight caps on the wing, the player was given the full-back role for the first time with several teammates unavailable.

For him, it was simply a case of picking up where he left off during the summer.

The 28-year-old had been in superb condition before physical issues disrupted his dream of making the Test team.

Having come back recently, he developed a lower body injury that ruled him out for previous matches.

Farrell had indicated that the player was particularly determined and these turned out to be not empty words as the former club player gave his coach a welcome team dilemma for future games.

"Well my initial reaction were, 'You need to perform excellently in those different coloured shoes!'," commented Farrell, alluding to the player's decision to sport mismatched boots.

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

"I told to him before the match, 'Good athletes require no justifications, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can get the player of the game if you choose,' and he went, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"So he's that type of player, he prepares well, he's has a excellent approach to get across his detail and so that's why he slotted straight into the team and he was capable to be himself because of that."

Hansen's performance also received commendation from the opposing manager, who stated he was the "exceptional Australian player" on the evening.

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

"Unfortunately, Hansen was probably the best opposition performer on the pitch. He's has a excellent skillset and he's such a good contender."

Pressed about what makes the player a good fit at the number 15 position, the coach added: "Showing up in the middle 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 brilliant, wasn't it? I thought we didn't get bored of doing the right approach and that was putting the possession back on them to gain field position.

"Why that was the correct thing to do is since it's the players of Mackie who was securing the possessions returned, and additional players, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Beyond Hansen, there were numerous encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Another player was outstanding on his comeback to the fly-half jersey, the scrum and throw-in operated smoothly and different teammate did not look uncomfortable in his first appearance in the forwards.

But possibly more pleasing for Farrell was the team bookending the game with two strong spells.

Hansen's first couple of scores occurred in the opening eleven moments while other teammates scored in the final stages after the other team had scored, ensuring the home team concluded on a high.

"In my opinion we really let ourselves go and approached the match straight from the word go," stated the coach.

"How we handled various aspects during the game, especially the opposition responding just before half-time and regathering ourselves and producing a display like we did in the second half, I thought as far as territory and being familiar with the majority of our strategy in that second half was truly satisfying."

The strength of South Africa are next up for Ireland, in what might be considered as an informal conclusion to the previous season's tied two-Test series on rival territory.

The coach's team will need to attain another standard to beat the back-to-back world champions, but the recent victory of the Australian team was a significant advancement in the correct path after an uninspiring beginning to their autumn schedule.