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Following last week's underwhelming showing against Japan, Andy Farrell told his Ireland squad 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 Japan.

However, facing the Wallabies, they started strongly, with the talented back shining brightest during a comprehensive victory that represented Ireland's finest display of the season.

Making his debut test match appearance at full-back, the player scored a three tries, contested brilliantly for aerial challenges and performed outstandingly against the country of his origin.

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

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

"Whenever I get to represent for Ireland it's a honor, if you don't put in a good showing you might not get that privilege again.

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

Coach stated: 'Excellent players require no excuses'

After 28 appearances on the flank, Hansen was given the number 15 position for the first time with several players unavailable.

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 injury disrupted his dream of joining the international team.

Having come back last month, he suffered a foot problem that ruled him out for previous matches.

Farrell had indicated that Hansen was particularly motivated and these proved not empty words as the ex- provincial player gave his manager a welcome team headache for future games.

"So my initial reaction were, 'You better perform well in those different colored shoes!'," commented Farrell, referring to Hansen's choice to wear mismatched footwear.

"Actually I thought that was appropriate but it seems Hansen just made that personally regardless. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even started.

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

"Therefore he's that type of performer, he trains well, he's got a excellent attitude to get across his detail and so that's why he fitted right back in and he was capable to be himself due to that."

Hansen's performance also earned commendation from the rival coach, who stated he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the night.

"In my view he was outstanding, his knowledge showed to the fore," commented the former international manager.

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

When asked about what enables Hansen a good fit at full-back, the coach added: "Appearing in the middle of the pitch is something that he demonstrates from the flank anyway, but I imagine he's better in place for that more often.

"His aerial play was excellent, don't you think? I thought we didn't get bored of executing the right thing and that was putting the ball again on them to gain field position.

"The reason that was the right thing to do is because it's the likes of Hansen who was getting the possessions back, and additional players, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

Beyond Hansen, there were multiple encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his comeback to the fly-half position, the scrum and line-out functioned smoothly and another teammate did not look uncomfortable in his first appearance in the front row.

But possibly more pleasing for Farrell was the team framing the match with multiple impressive spells.

The player's first two scores occurred in the opening 11 moments while additional teammates scored in the final exchanges after the opposition had crossed, guaranteeing the Irish side finished on a positive note.

"I thought we truly performed freely and approached the match straight from the beginning," said the coach.

"The way we managed various aspects throughout the match, especially them coming back just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and producing a display like we achieved in the second half, I believed as far as territory and being across most of our strategy in that later period was really satisfying."

The might of the Springboks are awaiting for the team, in what could be considered as an unofficial decider to last year's tied two-Test series on opposition soil.

The coach's team will need to reach another level to defeat the back-to-back world champions, but Saturday's victory of the Wallabies was a significant advancement in the correct path after an uninspiring beginning to their fall campaign.