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After last week's underwhelming showing against Japan, Andy Farrell told his Ireland squad to step up their performance.

The team listened immediately.

Ireland had faded late against the All Blacks and required considerable time to get going versus Japan.

However, against the Wallabies, they began strongly, with the talented back shining brightest during a comprehensive victory that marked Ireland's finest performance this year.

In his first international start at the number 15 position, the player registered a hat-trick, contested brilliantly for aerial challenges and played exceptionally against the country of his origin.

"Look, I've had a pretty difficult period with injuries honestly," Hansen stated.

"I missed being in this team, I know there's considerable discussion about me not exactly being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this team and this seems like family.

"Any time I get to play for the national team it's a honor, if you don't put in a good showing you might not get that privilege again.

"My whole approach this period was to go out and do what I could do."

Coach stated: 'Good players require no justifications'

After 28 appearances on the wing, Hansen was entrusted the full-back role for the first time with several players unavailable.

For him, it was simply a case of continuing where he finished during the warmer months.

The 28-year-old had been in excellent condition before injury ended his dream of joining the international squad.

After returned recently, he suffered a foot problem that ruled him out for previous fixtures.

The coach had indicated that the player was especially motivated and these proved not hollow words as the former provincial player gave his manager a positive selection dilemma for future matches.

"So my initial reaction were, 'You better perform well in those different coloured boots!'," said Farrell, alluding to the player's decision to sport different boots.

"Actually I believed that was appropriate but it seems Mack just did that himself anyway. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the game, 'Good athletes require no excuses, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can get the man of the match if you want,' and he responded, 'Yes, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that type of performer, he trains thoroughly, he's got a excellent attitude to understand his detail and thus that's why he slotted right into the team and he was capable to perform naturally due to that."

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

"I thought he was super, his experience was evident to the fore," said the former national coach.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was likely 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 Hansen a strong option at full-back, Farrell added: "Showing up in the middle of the pitch is a trait that he does from the flank regardless, but I imagine he's more in position for that more often.

"The player's high ball work was excellent, wasn't it? I thought we didn't get bored of executing the correct approach and that was putting the possession back on them to secure field position.

"The reason that was the correct thing to do is since it's the likes of Hansen who was securing the possessions returned, and additional teammates, so [it's] quite pleasing."

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

Another player was excellent on his return to the fly-half position, the scrum and throw-in operated effectively and different player did not look out of place in his first appearance in the front row.

But possibly more pleasing for the manager was Ireland bookending the game with two impressive periods.

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

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

"The way we handled various aspects during the match, particularly the opposition coming back just before the break and regathering ourselves and giving a performance like we did in the later stages, I thought as far as territory and being across the majority of our game in that second half was truly satisfying."

The might of South Africa are awaiting for the team, in what might be considered as an informal conclusion to last year's tied multiple match contest on rival territory.

The coach's team will require to reach a higher standard to beat the consecutive title holders, but Saturday's defeat of the Wallabies was a important step in the right path after an disappointing start to their fall campaign.