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Following last week's disappointing showing against the Japanese team, the head coach challenged his Ireland team to step up their game.

Ireland listened right away.

Ireland had faded in the final stages against New Zealand and required considerable time to get going versus their Asian opponents.

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

In his debut test match start at the number 15 position, the player scored a hat-trick, contested excellently for high balls and played outstandingly against the nation of his origin.

"You know, I've had a pretty challenging run with fitness issues honestly," the athlete commented.

"I missed being in this team, I understand there's much discussion about me not exactly being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this group and this feels like home.

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

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

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

After 28 appearances on the wing, Hansen was given the number 15 position for the initial time with several players injured.

In his case, it was essentially a case of continuing where he left off during the warmer months.

The experienced player had been in superb form before physical issues disrupted his aspiration of joining the international squad.

After come back recently, he developed a foot problem that ruled him out for earlier matches.

Farrell had suggested that Hansen was especially determined and these turned out to be not empty words as the ex- club player gave his coach a positive team headache for upcoming matches.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You better perform excellently in those different colored boots!'," commented Farrell, alluding to Hansen's decision to sport different boots.

"Actually I believed that was fitting but it seems Hansen just made that himself anyway. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the game, 'Good players require no justifications, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can win the player of the game if you want,' and he went, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"So he's that kind of performer, he prepares well, he's got a great attitude to understand his detail and so that's why he slotted straight back in and he was capable to perform naturally because of that."

Hansen's performance also earned praise from the opposing coach, who stated he was the "standout Australian player" on the evening.

"I thought he was outstanding, his experience showed to the fore," commented the former national coach.

"Unfortunately, Mack was probably the best Australian performer on the field. He's got a excellent skillset and he's such a strong contender."

Pressed about what enables Hansen a good option at the number 15 position, the coach added: "Showing up in the center of the field is a trait that he does from the flank regardless, but I suppose he's better in position for that more often.

"The player's aerial play was excellent, don't you think? I thought we didn't get bored of doing the right thing and that was putting the possession again on them to secure territory.

"The reason that was the correct thing to do is since it's the likes of Mackie who was securing the balls back, and additional players, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

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

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his return to the number 10 jersey, the scrum and throw-in operated smoothly and different player did not look uncomfortable in his first start in the front row.

But possibly more pleasing for the manager was the team bookending the game with multiple impressive spells.

Hansen's first two scores came in the opening 11 minutes while additional teammates registered in the final stages after the opposition had scored, ensuring the home side finished on a high.

"I thought we truly performed freely and attacked the game right from the word go," said the coach.

"How we handled various aspects during the game, especially them responding just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and producing a display like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as territory and being across most of our game in that later period was really satisfying."

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

Farrell's side will require to reach a higher standard to beat the consecutive title holders, but Saturday's defeat of the Wallabies was a important advancement in the right direction after an uninspiring start to their autumn schedule.