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After last week's disappointing performance against Japan, the head coach told his Ireland squad to improve their performance.

Ireland listened right away.

Ireland had struggled in the final stages against the All Blacks and required most of the match to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

However, against Australia, they started powerfully, with the talented back shining brightest during a 46-19 victory that represented Ireland's best display of the season.

In his first test match start at the number 15 position, the player scored a hat-trick, competed excellently for high balls and performed outstandingly against the nation of his birth.

"You know, I've had a fairly difficult run with fitness issues honestly," Hansen stated.

"I missed being in this team, I understand there's considerable discussion about me not necessarily being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this team and this seems like home.

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

"My entire focus this period was to go out and do what I could do."

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

After 28 appearances on the flank, the player was given the number 15 position for the initial time with multiple players unavailable.

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

The experienced player had been in superb condition before injury ended his dream of joining the international team.

After come back recently, he suffered a foot injury that made him unavailable for earlier matches.

Farrell had suggested that the player was particularly determined and these proved not hollow statements as the former provincial player gave his coach a positive team headache for upcoming matches.

"So my first reaction were, 'You better play excellently in those two colored shoes!'," commented Farrell, alluding to Hansen's choice to wear different footwear.

"In fact I believed that was appropriate but apparently Mack just made that personally regardless. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the match, 'Good athletes require no excuses, they can perform and just play naturally, you can get the man of the match if you want,' and he went, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that kind of player, he trains thoroughly, he's got a excellent attitude to understand his preparation and so that's why he fitted right back in and he was able to be himself because of that."

The player's efforts also received praise from the rival manager, who stated he was the "standout Australian player" on the evening.

"I thought he was super, his knowledge was evident to the fore," commented the ex- national coach.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was probably the best Australian performer on the field. He's got a great skillset and he's such a good competitor."

When asked about what enables the player a good option at the number 15 position, Farrell continued: "Appearing in the middle of the pitch is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing anyway, but I suppose he's better in place for that frequently.

"His high ball play was excellent, wasn't it? I thought we didn't get bored of executing the right approach and that was placing the possession back on them to gain territory.

"The reason that was the right thing to do is since it's the likes of Hansen who was securing the balls returned, and other players, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

Outside the star performer, there were numerous encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his comeback to the number 10 position, the scrum and line-out functioned effectively and another teammate did not look uncomfortable in his first appearance in the forwards.

But possibly more satisfying for the manager was the team bookending the match with two impressive spells.

The player's initial couple of scores occurred in the opening 11 minutes while other teammates registered in the final exchanges after the other team had crossed, ensuring the Irish side finished on a high.

"I thought we really let ourselves go and approached the game straight from the beginning," stated Farrell.

"How we managed numerous elements during the match, particularly them responding just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and giving a performance like we achieved in the second half, I believed as far as territory and being familiar with the majority of our game in that later period was really satisfying."

The strength of South Africa are awaiting for the team, in what might be viewed as an unofficial conclusion to last year's tied multiple match series on opposition soil.

Farrell's side will need to attain a higher level to beat the consecutive title holders, but the recent victory of the Australian team was a significant step in the right path after an disappointing start to their autumn schedule.