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

The team listened right away.

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

Nevertheless, against the Wallabies, they began strongly, with the talented back excelling most prominently during a comprehensive triumph that marked the team's best display this year.

Making his debut test match start at the number 15 position, the player scored a three tries, contested excellently for high balls and played outstandingly against the country of his birth.

"Look, I've had a fairly difficult period with fitness issues honestly," the athlete commented.

"I longed for being in this team, I know there's considerable discussion about me not exactly being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this group and this feels like family.

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

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

Coach declared: 'Good players require no excuses'

Following 28 appearances on the flank, the player was given the number 15 role for the first time with several teammates injured.

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

The experienced player had been in superb form before injury disrupted his aspiration of making the Test team.

After returned last month, he developed a lower body problem that made him unavailable for earlier fixtures.

Farrell had indicated that Hansen was particularly motivated and these turned out to be not hollow words as the former club player gave his coach a welcome team dilemma for future games.

"So my first reaction were, 'You better play well in those two coloured shoes!'," commented Farrell, referring to the player's decision to wear different footwear.

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

"I said to him before the game, 'Good athletes don't need justifications, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can get the player of the game if you want,' and he responded, 'Yes, I agree.'

"So he's that kind of performer, he trains well, he's has a excellent approach to get across his detail and thus that's why he slotted straight into the team and he was capable to be himself because of that."

Hansen's performance also earned praise from the rival manager, who stated he was the "standout opposition player" on the night.

"In my view he was super, his experience showed to the front," said the ex- international manager.

"Unfortunately, Mack was probably the standout opposition performer on the field. He's has a excellent skillset and he's such a strong competitor."

When asked about what makes the player a good option at full-back, the coach added: "Appearing in the center of the pitch is a trait that he demonstrates from the flank anyway, but I suppose he's better in position for that frequently.

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

"The reason that was the right strategy to do is since it's the likes of Hansen who was securing the possessions back, and additional players, so [it's] quite satisfying."

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

Another player was outstanding on his return to the fly-half position, the scrum and throw-in functioned smoothly and different teammate did not look out of place in his first start in the forwards.

But perhaps most satisfying for Farrell was Ireland framing the game with two impressive spells.

The player's first couple of tries came in the first 11 minutes while other players scored in the final exchanges after the opposition had scored, ensuring the home side finished on a high.

"I thought we truly let ourselves go and approached the game straight from the word go," said Farrell.

"The way we managed numerous aspects throughout the game, particularly the opposition coming back just before the break and regathering ourselves and giving a display like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as territory and being across the majority of our game in that second half was really satisfying."

The strength of the Springboks are awaiting for Ireland, in what might be viewed as an informal conclusion to the previous season's drawn multiple match series on rival territory.

The coach's team will need to attain another level to beat the consecutive title holders, but the recent defeat of the Wallabies was a important advancement in the right path after an disappointing start to their fall campaign.