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Following last week's underwhelming showing against Japan, the head coach told his Ireland team to improve their game.

The team listened right away.

The Irish side had faded late against New Zealand and required most of the match to get going versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, against the Wallabies, they started strongly, with the talented back excelling brightest during a 46-19 victory that marked Ireland's finest display of the season.

In his debut international appearance at full-back, the player registered a hat-trick, competed excellently for aerial challenges and played exceptionally against the country of his birth.

"Look, I've had a pretty challenging period with injuries really," the athlete stated.

"I longed for being in this team, I understand there's considerable talk about me not exactly being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this team and this feels like family.

"Whenever I have to represent for Ireland it's a privilege, if you fail to deliver a performance you may not get that opportunity again.

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

Coach declared: 'Excellent players require no excuses'

After twenty-eight appearances on the flank, Hansen was given the number 15 position for the first time with multiple players injured.

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

The 28-year-old had been in excellent condition before physical issues ended his dream of making the Test squad.

Having returned last month, he suffered a lower body injury that ruled him out for earlier fixtures.

Farrell had suggested that the player was particularly determined and these turned out to be not hollow words as the former provincial player gave his coach a welcome team headache for future games.

"Well my initial reaction were, 'You need to play excellently in those different colored boots!'," commented the coach, referring to the player's decision to sport different boots.

"In fact I thought that was appropriate but it seems Hansen just made that personally anyway. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even started.

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

"Therefore he's that type of player, he trains thoroughly, he's got a excellent approach to understand his detail and so that's why he slotted right into the team and he was capable to be himself due to that."

Hansen's efforts also received commendation from the rival manager, who stated he was the "exceptional Australian performer" on the night.

"I thought he was super, his knowledge showed to the front," commented the former national coach.

"Regrettably, Mack was likely the best opposition performer on the pitch. He's got a excellent ability and he's such a strong competitor."

When asked about what makes Hansen a good option at full-back, the coach continued: "Appearing in the middle of the field is a trait that he demonstrates from the flank anyway, but I imagine he's better in place for that frequently.

"His aerial play was excellent, wasn't it? I thought we persisted of doing the correct approach and that was putting the ball back on them to secure territory.

"The reason that was the correct thing to do is since it's the likes of Mackie who was getting the possessions returned, and other teammates, so [it's] quite pleasing."

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

Another player was outstanding on his return to the number 10 position, the scrum and throw-in operated smoothly and different teammate did not appear uncomfortable in his debut start in the forwards.

But perhaps most satisfying for Farrell was the team bookending the match with two impressive spells.

The player's first two tries came in the opening 11 moments while additional players scored in the closing exchanges after the other team had scored, ensuring the home team finished on a positive note.

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

"How we managed numerous aspects during the game, especially them responding just before half-time and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we did in the second half, I believed as far as field position and being familiar with most of our game in that second half was truly satisfying."

The might of the Springboks are awaiting for Ireland, in what might be considered as an informal decider to last year's tied multiple match contest on opposition soil.

The coach's side will need to attain a higher standard to defeat the back-to-back world champions, but Saturday's victory of the Australian team was a significant advancement in the right direction after an uninspiring beginning to their autumn campaign.