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After last week's underwhelming performance against the Japanese team, the head coach told his Irish team to step up their game.

The team listened right away.

The Irish side had faded in the final stages against the All Blacks and required considerable time to get going versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, facing the Wallabies, they began strongly, with the talented back shining brightest during a comprehensive triumph that represented Ireland's finest display this year.

In his debut test match appearance at the number 15 position, Hansen registered a hat-trick, contested brilliantly for high balls and played outstandingly against the nation of his birth.

"Look, I've experienced a fairly difficult run with injuries honestly," the athlete commented.

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

"Any time I have to play for Ireland it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a performance you may not get that privilege again.

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

Coach stated: 'Excellent athletes don't need justifications'

After 28 appearances on the flank, the player was entrusted the number 15 position for the first time with multiple teammates unavailable.

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

The 28-year-old had been in excellent condition before injury ended his aspiration of making the international team.

Having returned recently, he suffered a foot problem that ruled him out for earlier matches.

The coach had suggested that Hansen was particularly motivated and these turned out to be not hollow words as the ex- club player gave his coach a positive team headache for future matches.

"Well my initial thoughts were, 'You need to perform well in those different coloured boots!'," said Farrell, referring to the player's choice to wear different boots.

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

"I said to him before the game, 'Excellent players require no justifications, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can get the man of the match if you want,' and he went, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"So he's that type of player, he prepares well, he's got a excellent attitude to understand his preparation and thus that's why he fitted straight back in and he was capable to perform naturally because of that."

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

"I thought he was outstanding, his knowledge was evident to the front," said the former international manager.

"Regrettably, Mack was likely the standout opposition player on the field. He's has a excellent ability and he's such a strong competitor."

Pressed about what enables Hansen a strong fit at full-back, the coach continued: "Showing up in the center of the field is a trait that he does from the wing regardless, but I imagine he's more in position for that frequently.

"The player's high ball play was brilliant, wasn't it? I believed we persisted of doing the correct approach and that was placing the possession back on them to secure territory.

"The reason that was the right thing to do is since it's the players of Hansen who was securing the balls back, and additional teammates, so [it's] quite pleasing."

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

Another player was outstanding on his comeback to the fly-half position, the scrum and line-out functioned effectively and another teammate did not appear uncomfortable in his first start in the front row.

But perhaps most satisfying for the manager was the team bookending the game with multiple impressive spells.

Hansen's initial two scores occurred in the opening 11 minutes while other teammates registered in the final stages after the other team had scored, ensuring the home team concluded on a positive note.

"In my opinion we truly performed freely and attacked the game right from the beginning," said the coach.

"The way we handled numerous elements throughout the game, especially the opposition responding just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and giving a performance like we achieved in the later stages, I believed as far as territory and being familiar with most of our strategy in that later period was really pleasing."

The strength of the Springboks are next up for Ireland, in what might be viewed as an informal conclusion to last year's drawn multiple match contest on rival soil.

Farrell's side will need to reach another standard to beat the back-to-back world champions, but Saturday's victory of the Wallabies was a important step in the right direction after an disappointing start to their fall schedule.