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Following last week's disappointing showing against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell told his Ireland team to step up their game.

Ireland listened right away.

The Irish side had faded in the final stages against the All Blacks and required considerable time to find their rhythm versus Japan.

Nevertheless, facing the Wallabies, they started powerfully, with the talented back excelling brightest during a 46-19 triumph that marked Ireland's best performance of the season.

In his debut test match start at the number 15 position, Hansen scored a hat-trick, competed excellently for aerial challenges and performed outstandingly against the nation of his origin.

"You know, I've experienced a pretty difficult run with fitness issues honestly," Hansen commented.

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

"Whenever I have to represent for Ireland it's a privilege, if you don't put in a performance you may not receive that opportunity again.

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

Coach declared: 'Excellent players don't need justifications'

Following twenty-eight appearances on the flank, Hansen was given the number 15 position for the initial time with several players unavailable.

In his case, it was simply a case of continuing where he finished during the summer.

The 28-year-old had been in superb form before injury disrupted his dream of joining the Test team.

After come back recently, he suffered a foot injury that ruled him out for previous matches.

Farrell had indicated that the player was particularly determined and these proved not empty words as the ex- club player gave his manager a welcome selection dilemma for future games.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You need to perform excellently in those two coloured boots!'," commented Farrell, alluding to the player's decision to wear different boots.

"Actually I thought that was appropriate but it seems Mack just made that himself anyway. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even started.

"I said to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes don't need justifications, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can get the man of the match if you choose,' and he went, 'Yes, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that kind of performer, he prepares well, he's has a excellent attitude to understand his detail and thus that's why he slotted right back in and he was capable to perform naturally because of that."

The player's performance also received commendation from the rival manager, who stated he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the night.

"I thought he was outstanding, his experience was evident to the front," said the ex- international coach.

"Unfortunately, Mack was likely the standout opposition player on the field. He's has a great ability and he's such a good competitor."

When asked about what enables the player a good fit at the number 15 position, the coach continued: "Appearing in the middle of the field is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing regardless, but I suppose he's more in place for that more often.

"The player's aerial play was brilliant, don't you think? I believed we didn't get bored of doing the right approach and that was putting the possession back on them to gain territory.

"Why that was the right thing to do is since it's the players of Mackie who was getting the possessions back, and other teammates, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

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

Another player was excellent on his comeback to the number 10 jersey, the scrum and line-out functioned effectively and another player did not look out of place in his first appearance in the front row.

But possibly most satisfying for the manager was the team bookending the game with multiple impressive spells.

Hansen's initial couple of tries came in the first eleven minutes while other teammates registered in the final stages after the other team had scored, guaranteeing the Irish side finished on a positive note.

"I thought we really let ourselves go and attacked the match straight from the beginning," said the coach.

"The way we managed various elements during the game, especially the opposition coming back just before half-time and regathering ourselves and giving a performance like we achieved in the later stages, I thought as far as field position and being familiar with the majority of our game in that second half was really pleasing."

The strength of South Africa are awaiting for the team, in what could be considered as an informal conclusion to last year's drawn multiple match contest on opposition soil.

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