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Following their previous disappointing performance against Japan, the head coach challenged his Irish squad to improve their performance.

Ireland responded immediately.

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

However, facing the Wallabies, they started powerfully, with the talented back shining brightest during a comprehensive victory that marked the team's finest display this year.

Making his debut international appearance at full-back, the player scored a three tries, contested excellently for high balls and performed exceptionally against the country of his origin.

"You know, I've experienced a pretty difficult run with injuries really," the athlete stated.

"I missed being in this squad, I understand there's much discussion about me not necessarily being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this group and this feels like family.

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

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

Manager stated: 'Good players require no justifications'

Following twenty-eight appearances on the flank, Hansen was given the full-back position for the first time with several players unavailable.

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

The 28-year-old had been in superb form before physical issues ended his dream of making the Test team.

Having returned recently, he suffered a lower body injury that made him unavailable for previous fixtures.

Farrell had indicated that the player was particularly determined and these proved not hollow words as the ex- provincial player gave his coach a positive selection dilemma for upcoming matches.

"So my initial reaction were, 'You better play excellently in those different coloured shoes!'," said Farrell, alluding to Hansen's decision to sport different footwear.

"In fact I thought that was appropriate but it seems Mack just made that himself regardless. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even started.

"I said to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes require no justifications, they can perform and just be themselves, you can win the player of the game if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that kind of player, he prepares thoroughly, he's got a great approach to understand his preparation and thus that's why he slotted right back in and he was capable to be himself due to that."

The player's performance also earned praise from the opposing coach, who remarked he was the "standout Australian performer" on the night.

"In my view he was outstanding, his knowledge was evident to the fore," commented the former national coach.

"Regrettably, Mack was likely the standout Australian player on the pitch. He's has a excellent skillset and he's such a good competitor."

When asked about what makes Hansen a good fit at full-back, the coach continued: "Appearing in the middle of the pitch is something that he does from the flank regardless, but I suppose he's more in position for that more often.

"His high ball work was excellent, wasn't it? I believed we didn't get bored of executing the right approach and that was putting the ball back on them to gain field position.

"The reason that was the correct strategy to do is because it's the players of Hansen who was getting the balls back, and other players, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

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

Another player was excellent on his comeback to the fly-half jersey, the scrum and line-out functioned smoothly and different teammate did not look uncomfortable in his debut appearance in the forwards.

But perhaps more pleasing for Farrell was the team framing the game with two impressive periods.

Hansen's initial two tries occurred in the first eleven moments while other teammates registered in the final stages after the other team had scored, guaranteeing the Irish team concluded on a high.

"In my opinion we really performed freely and attacked the match straight from the beginning," said the coach.

"The way we managed various elements throughout the match, particularly them coming back just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and producing a performance like we did in the later stages, I thought as far as field position and being across the majority of our game in that second half was truly satisfying."

The strength of the Springboks are next up for Ireland, in what could be considered as an informal decider to last year's drawn multiple match contest on rival soil.

Farrell's side will need to reach another level to beat the consecutive world champions, but Saturday's defeat of the Australian team was a important advancement in the right path after an disappointing start to their autumn campaign.