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Following their previous disappointing performance against Japan, Andy Farrell challenged his Irish team to improve their game.

Ireland listened immediately.

The Irish side had struggled late against the All Blacks and required considerable time to find their rhythm versus Japan.

Nevertheless, facing Australia, they started powerfully, with the talented back shining most prominently during a 46-19 victory that represented Ireland's finest display of the season.

In his debut test match appearance at the number 15 position, the player scored a three tries, competed excellently for aerial challenges and played outstandingly against the nation of his origin.

"You know, I've had a fairly challenging period with injuries honestly," the athlete commented.

"I missed being in this squad, I understand 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 feels like family.

"Whenever I have to represent for the national team it's a honor, if you don't put in a good showing you may not get that privilege again.

"My whole focus this week was to take the field and perform what I could do."

Manager declared: 'Excellent athletes require no excuses'

Following 28 caps on the wing, the player was given the number 15 position for the initial time with several teammates unavailable.

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

The 28-year-old had been in excellent form before injury ended his aspiration of joining the Test squad.

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

The coach had indicated that Hansen was especially motivated and these turned out to be not hollow statements as the ex- club player gave his manager a welcome team headache for upcoming games.

"Well my first reaction were, 'You need to perform well in those two colored shoes!'," commented Farrell, alluding to the player's choice to wear mismatched footwear.

"In fact I believed that was fitting but apparently Hansen just made that personally anyway. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the game, 'Excellent athletes don't need justifications, they can perform and just be themselves, you can win the man of the match if you want,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"So he's that kind of player, he trains well, he's got a excellent attitude to understand his preparation and so that's why he slotted right into the team and he was able to perform naturally because of that."

Hansen's performance also received commendation from the rival manager, who remarked he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the night.

"In my view he was super, his experience was evident to the fore," said the ex- international coach.

"Regrettably, Mack was probably the standout opposition performer on the field. He's got a excellent ability and he's such a strong contender."

When asked about what enables the player a strong option at full-back, Farrell continued: "Appearing in the center of the pitch is a trait that he demonstrates from the flank regardless, but I imagine he's more in position for that more often.

"The player's high ball play was brilliant, don't you think? I thought we persisted of doing the right thing and that was placing the possession back on them to secure territory.

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

Beyond Hansen, there were numerous positives for the coach.

Another player was excellent on his return to the number 10 jersey, the set piece and throw-in operated effectively and another player did not look out of place in his debut appearance in the forwards.

But possibly most pleasing for the manager was Ireland framing the match with multiple impressive periods.

Hansen's first two tries occurred in the opening eleven moments while other players registered in the final exchanges after the other team had scored, ensuring the Irish team concluded on a positive note.

"I thought we truly let ourselves go and attacked the game straight from the beginning," stated the coach.

"The way we managed various aspects during the game, particularly the opposition responding just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and producing a performance like we achieved in the later stages, I thought as far as field position and being familiar with the majority of our game in that later period was truly satisfying."

The strength of South Africa are awaiting for Ireland, in what might be viewed as an unofficial decider to the previous season's drawn two-Test contest on opposition soil.

Farrell's team will require to reach a higher level to defeat the back-to-back world champions, but Saturday's victory of the Australian team was a important step in the right path after an disappointing beginning to their autumn campaign.