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Following their previous underwhelming performance against the Japanese team, the head coach challenged his Irish team to improve their performance.

The team listened immediately.

Ireland had faded late against New Zealand and taken considerable time to get going versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, against Australia, they started strongly, with the talented back excelling most prominently during a 46-19 victory that marked Ireland's best performance this year.

Making his debut test match appearance at the number 15 position, the player scored a three tries, contested brilliantly for high balls and performed outstandingly against the country of his origin.

"You know, I've experienced a fairly difficult period with injuries honestly," Hansen commented.

"I missed being in this team, I understand there's considerable talk about me not necessarily being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this team and this feels like family.

"Whenever I have to play for Ireland it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a performance you may not get that opportunity again.

"My whole focus this period was to take the field and do what I can do."

Coach declared: 'Good athletes require no justifications'

After 28 appearances on the flank, the player was entrusted the number 15 role for the first time with multiple teammates injured.

In his case, it was essentially a matter of continuing where he left off during the summer.

The 28-year-old had been in excellent form before physical issues disrupted his aspiration of making the Test team.

After returned recently, he developed a foot problem that made him unavailable for previous matches.

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

"So my first reaction were, 'You need to play excellently in those two coloured boots!'," said the coach, alluding to Hansen's choice to wear mismatched boots.

"In fact I thought that was appropriate but apparently Mack just did that personally anyway. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even started.

"I said to him before the game, 'Good athletes 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 agree.'

"So he's that kind of player, he prepares thoroughly, he's got a great attitude to get across his preparation and thus that's why he slotted right into the team and he was capable to be himself due to that."

The player's efforts also received praise from the rival coach, who stated he was the "standout Australian player" on the evening.

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

"Unfortunately, Hansen was likely the best opposition performer on the pitch. He's has a great skillset and he's such a good contender."

When asked about what makes Hansen a strong option at the number 15 position, Farrell continued: "Showing up in the center of the field is something that he demonstrates from the flank regardless, but I suppose he's better in position for that frequently.

"The player's aerial work was brilliant, don't you think? I believed we didn't get bored of executing the correct thing and that was putting the ball 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 getting the balls returned, and additional teammates, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Outside the star performer, there were multiple encouraging aspects for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his comeback to the number 10 jersey, the scrum and throw-in operated smoothly and different player did not look uncomfortable in his first appearance in the forwards.

But perhaps more satisfying for Farrell was the team framing the game with two strong periods.

Hansen's first two scores came in the first eleven moments while other players scored in the closing stages after the opposition had scored, ensuring the home side concluded on a positive note.

"In my opinion we truly let ourselves go and approached the match right from the beginning," stated the coach.

"The way we managed numerous aspects throughout the match, especially the opposition responding just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and giving a display like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as territory and being across most of our strategy in that second half was really satisfying."

The strength of South Africa are awaiting for Ireland, in what could be considered as an informal conclusion to last year's drawn two-Test series on rival territory.

Farrell's side will require to reach a higher standard to defeat the consecutive world champions, but Saturday's defeat of the Australian team was a significant advancement in the right path after an disappointing start to their fall campaign.