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Following last week's underwhelming performance against Japan, Andy Farrell challenged his Ireland squad to step up their game.

The team listened right away.

Ireland had struggled in the final stages against the All Blacks and taken most of the match to get going versus Japan.

Nevertheless, facing the Wallabies, they began powerfully, with the talented back excelling brightest during a comprehensive victory that marked the team's best display this year.

Making his debut international appearance at the number 15 position, the player registered a three tries, contested excellently for aerial challenges and played exceptionally against the nation of his birth.

"Look, I've experienced a pretty difficult run with injuries really," the athlete commented.

"I missed being in this team, I know there's much discussion about me not exactly being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this team and this seems like home.

"Whenever I have to play for the national team it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a performance you might not receive that opportunity again.

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

Coach stated: 'Good players don't need excuses'

Following 28 appearances on the wing, Hansen was given the full-back role for the first time with multiple players unavailable.

For him, it was simply a matter of continuing where he finished during the summer.

The 28-year-old had been in excellent condition before physical issues ended his dream of making the international team.

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

The coach had indicated that Hansen was particularly determined and these turned out to be not hollow words as the ex- provincial player gave his manager a positive team dilemma for future matches.

"So my first reaction were, 'You better perform excellently in those different colored shoes!'," commented the coach, referring to Hansen's decision to wear different footwear.

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

"I told to him before the match, 'Excellent players require no justifications, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can win the man of the match if you choose,' and he went, 'Yes, I concur.'

"So he's that type of player, he trains well, he's got a excellent approach to get across his detail and so that's why he fitted straight into the team and he was capable to be himself due to that."

The player's efforts also earned commendation from the rival coach, who stated he was the "exceptional opposition player" on the night.

"I thought he was outstanding, his knowledge was evident to the fore," commented the former national manager.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was likely the standout opposition player on the field. He's has a excellent skillset and he's such a strong contender."

When asked about what makes Hansen a strong option at the number 15 position, the coach added: "Appearing in the middle of the field is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing regardless, but I suppose he's better in place for that more often.

"His aerial play was excellent, don't you think? I thought we persisted of doing the right thing and that was putting the ball back on them to gain field position.

"Why that was the correct thing to do is because it's the likes of Hansen who was securing the balls returned, and other players, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

Beyond Hansen, there were numerous positives for the coach.

Another player was outstanding on his return to the number 10 jersey, the set piece and line-out operated smoothly and another player did not appear out of place in his debut start in the forwards.

But perhaps most pleasing for the manager was the team framing the game with multiple impressive periods.

Hansen's initial two tries came in the opening 11 minutes while other players registered in the final exchanges after the other team had scored, guaranteeing the Irish team finished on a high.

"I thought we really performed freely and approached the game straight from the beginning," stated Farrell.

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

The strength of South Africa are next up for the team, in what might be viewed as an unofficial conclusion to the previous season's drawn two-Test series on rival soil.

Farrell's side will require to attain another standard to defeat the consecutive world champions, but the recent victory of the Wallabies was a significant step in the right direction after an uninspiring start to their autumn campaign.