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After last week's underwhelming showing against Japan, the head coach challenged his Ireland squad to step up their performance.

Ireland listened right away.

Ireland had struggled late against New Zealand and required most of the match to find their rhythm versus Japan.

However, facing Australia, they started powerfully, with the talented back shining brightest during a 46-19 triumph that marked Ireland's best performance this year.

Making his first international appearance at the number 15 position, the player registered a three tries, competed brilliantly for aerial challenges and performed outstandingly against the country of his origin.

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

"I missed being in this squad, I know there's considerable talk about me not necessarily being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this group and this feels like home.

"Whenever I get to play for Ireland it's a privilege, if you fail to deliver a good showing you might not receive that privilege again.

"My entire approach this period was to take the field and do what I can do."

Coach stated: 'Good players require no justifications'

Following twenty-eight appearances on the flank, the player was entrusted the full-back position for the initial time with several players injured.

For him, it was simply a matter of picking up where he left off during the summer.

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

Having come back last month, he suffered a lower body injury that made him unavailable for previous fixtures.

Farrell had suggested that Hansen was especially motivated and these proved not empty words as the former provincial player gave his manager a positive team dilemma for future matches.

"So my first thoughts were, 'You better perform well in those two coloured shoes!'," commented Farrell, referring to the player's choice to wear mismatched footwear.

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

"I told to him before the match, 'Good players don't need excuses, they can perform and just be themselves, you can get the player of the game if you want,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that kind of player, he prepares thoroughly, he's has a excellent attitude to get across his preparation and thus that's why he slotted right back in and he was able to perform naturally because of that."

The player's performance also received commendation from the opposing coach, who remarked he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the night.

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

"Unfortunately, Mack was probably the best opposition player on the field. He's has a great ability and he's such a strong contender."

When asked about what makes the player a good fit at the number 15 position, Farrell added: "Appearing in the center of the pitch is a trait that he does from the flank regardless, but I imagine he's more in position for that frequently.

"His high ball play was brilliant, don't you think? I believed we persisted of executing the correct thing and that was placing the possession back on them to gain territory.

"Why that was the correct thing to do is since it's the players of Mackie who was securing the balls back, and additional players, so [it's] quite satisfying."

Outside the star performer, there were multiple positives for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his comeback to the number 10 position, the scrum and line-out functioned smoothly and different player did not appear out of place in his debut appearance in the front row.

But perhaps more satisfying for the manager was Ireland framing the match with multiple strong spells.

Hansen's initial two scores occurred in the first eleven minutes while other teammates registered in the closing stages after the opposition had scored, guaranteeing the Irish team finished on a positive note.

"I thought we really performed freely and approached the game straight from the word go," said Farrell.

"How we handled numerous aspects during the game, especially them responding just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and producing a display like we did in the later stages, I thought as far as territory and being across the majority of our strategy in that later period was truly satisfying."

The might of the Springboks are next up for the team, in what might be considered as an unofficial conclusion to last year's drawn two-Test contest on rival territory.

The coach's team will require to reach a higher standard to beat the consecutive world champions, but Saturday's victory of the Wallabies was a important step in the right path after an uninspiring start to their autumn schedule.