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Following their previous underwhelming performance against Japan, the head coach told his Irish squad to improve their game.

The team responded immediately.

The Irish side had struggled late against New Zealand and taken considerable time to get going versus their Asian opponents.

However, against the Wallabies, they began strongly, with the talented back excelling brightest during a 46-19 triumph that marked the team's finest performance of the season.

Making his first international appearance at full-back, Hansen scored a hat-trick, contested excellently for high balls and played outstandingly against the nation of his origin.

"You know, I've experienced a fairly challenging period with fitness issues honestly," Hansen stated.

"I longed for being in this squad, I know there's much talk about me not necessarily being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this team and this feels like family.

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

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

Coach stated: 'Good athletes require no excuses'

After twenty-eight caps on the flank, the player was entrusted the number 15 role for the first time with multiple players injured.

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

The 28-year-old had been in excellent form before injury ended his aspiration of making the Test squad.

Having come back recently, he developed a lower body problem that ruled him out for previous fixtures.

Farrell had suggested that Hansen was particularly determined and these proved not empty words as the ex- club player gave his manager a welcome team dilemma for future matches.

"Well my initial reaction were, 'You better play excellently in those different coloured shoes!'," said the coach, referring to Hansen's choice to sport mismatched boots.

"Actually I thought that was appropriate but apparently Mack just did that himself regardless. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even started.

"I said to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes 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, 'Yes, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that kind of performer, he trains well, he's has a great attitude to understand his detail and so that's why he slotted straight back in and he was able to be himself because of that."

Hansen's efforts also earned praise from the opposing coach, who remarked he was the "standout opposition performer" on the evening.

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

"Regrettably, Mack was probably the standout Australian player on the pitch. He's got a great skillset and he's such a good contender."

When asked about what makes Hansen a good fit at full-back, the coach added: "Showing up in the middle of the pitch is a trait that he does from the wing regardless, but I imagine he's better in place for that more often.

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

"The reason that was the correct thing to do is since it's the likes of Hansen who was getting the balls back, and other teammates, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

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

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his return to the fly-half position, the set piece and throw-in operated effectively and different player did not look uncomfortable in his debut start in the forwards.

But possibly more pleasing for Farrell was the team bookending the game with two impressive periods.

The player's first couple of scores occurred in the first eleven moments while other teammates scored in the closing stages after the opposition had scored, guaranteeing the home team concluded on a positive note.

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

"How we handled various elements throughout the match, especially them responding just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and producing a display like we did in the second half, I believed as far as field position and being familiar with the majority of our game in that later period was truly satisfying."

The strength of South Africa are awaiting for the team, in what could be considered as an unofficial decider to the previous season's drawn two-Test series on rival soil.

Farrell's side will need to reach a higher level to defeat the consecutive title holders, but Saturday's defeat of the Wallabies was a significant advancement in the right direction after an disappointing start to their autumn schedule.