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Following their previous disappointing performance against Japan, Andy Farrell told his Ireland team to improve their performance.

Ireland responded right away.

Ireland had faded late against New Zealand and required most of the match to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

However, against Australia, they began powerfully, with the talented back shining brightest during a comprehensive triumph that marked the team's best performance this year.

Making his debut international start at full-back, the player registered a hat-trick, competed excellently for high balls and played exceptionally against the nation of his birth.

"You know, I've experienced a pretty difficult period with fitness issues really," Hansen stated.

"I longed for being in this team, I know there's much talk about me not necessarily being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this group and this feels like family.

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

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

Coach declared: 'Excellent athletes require no excuses'

After 28 appearances on the wing, Hansen was entrusted the number 15 position for the first time with several teammates unavailable.

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

The experienced player had been in excellent condition before injury ended his dream of making the Test squad.

Having come back recently, he developed a foot injury that made him unavailable for earlier fixtures.

Farrell had suggested that Hansen was especially determined and these turned out to be not hollow statements as the former club player gave his manager a welcome team dilemma for upcoming matches.

"Well my initial thoughts were, 'You need to play well in those two coloured boots!'," said Farrell, referring to Hansen's decision to wear different footwear.

"In fact I believed that was appropriate but it seems Mack just made that personally regardless. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I said to him before the match, 'Excellent players require no excuses, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can get the player of the game if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"So he's that kind of performer, he prepares well, he's has a great attitude to get across his detail and thus that's why he slotted right back in and he was able to perform naturally because of that."

Hansen's efforts also received praise from the rival manager, who stated he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the night.

"I thought he was super, his knowledge showed to the fore," said the former international manager.

"Regrettably, Mack was probably the standout opposition performer on the pitch. He's got a great ability and he's such a good competitor."

When asked about what makes the player a good fit at full-back, the coach continued: "Appearing in the center of the field is a trait that he demonstrates from the flank regardless, but I imagine he's more in position for that more often.

"His aerial work was brilliant, don't you think? I believed we persisted of executing the correct thing and that was placing the possession again on them to gain territory.

"Why that was the correct thing to do is since it's the likes of Mackie who was securing the possessions back, and other teammates, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

Outside Hansen, there were numerous encouraging aspects for the coach.

Another player was excellent on his comeback to the fly-half jersey, the set piece and line-out operated smoothly and another player did not appear uncomfortable in his debut start in the front row.

But possibly more satisfying for the manager was the team bookending the game with two strong spells.

Hansen's first couple of scores came in the opening 11 moments while additional players registered in the final exchanges after the opposition had crossed, ensuring the home side finished on a positive note.

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

"How we handled various aspects during the game, especially the opposition coming back just before half-time and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we achieved in the second half, I believed as far as territory and being familiar with the majority of our strategy in that second half was truly satisfying."

The might of the Springboks are next up for Ireland, in what might be viewed as an informal conclusion to the previous season's tied two-Test series on rival territory.

Farrell's team will require to reach another level to defeat the consecutive world champions, but Saturday's victory of the Australian team was a significant step in the right direction after an disappointing beginning to their autumn schedule.