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Following their previous underwhelming showing against Japan, Andy Farrell challenged his Ireland team to improve their performance.

The team listened immediately.

The Irish side had struggled late against New Zealand and required most of the match to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

However, against Australia, they began strongly, with the talented back shining most prominently during a 46-19 victory that marked Ireland's best display this year.

Making his first test match appearance at full-back, the player scored a hat-trick, contested brilliantly for high balls and played outstandingly against the nation of his birth.

"Look, I've experienced a fairly challenging period with injuries really," Hansen commented.

"I longed for being in this squad, I know there's considerable discussion about me not exactly being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this group and this seems like home.

"Whenever I have to play for the national team it's a privilege, if you don't put in a performance you may not get that opportunity again.

"My whole approach this week was to take the field and perform what I can do."

Manager stated: 'Excellent athletes require no justifications'

Following 28 caps on the wing, Hansen was entrusted the number 15 position for the initial time with several players unavailable.

For him, it was essentially a case of picking up where he left off during the warmer months.

The experienced player had been in superb form before physical issues ended his aspiration of joining the international squad.

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

Farrell had indicated that the player was particularly motivated and these turned out to be not hollow words as the ex- club player gave his manager a positive selection dilemma for upcoming matches.

"Well my initial thoughts were, 'You better play well in those two coloured boots!'," commented the coach, alluding to the player's decision to sport different boots.

"Actually I believed that was fitting but apparently Mack just made that himself anyway. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I said to him before the game, 'Good 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, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that type of performer, he prepares thoroughly, he's got a excellent attitude to get across his detail and thus that's why he slotted right back in and he was able to be himself due to that."

The player's performance also earned commendation from the rival manager, who remarked he was the "standout opposition performer" on the evening.

"In my view he was super, his experience was evident to the front," commented the ex- international manager.

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

When asked about what makes the player a strong option at the number 15 position, the coach added: "Appearing in the center of the field is something that he does from the flank anyway, but I suppose he's better in place for that more often.

"His aerial play was excellent, 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 strategy to do is because it's the players of Mackie who was getting the balls back, and other teammates, so [it's] quite satisfying."

Beyond Hansen, there were multiple positives for Farrell.

Another player was excellent on his return to the fly-half position, the set piece and line-out operated smoothly and different teammate did not appear out of place in his first appearance in the front row.

But possibly most satisfying for the manager was Ireland framing the game with two impressive spells.

Hansen's first couple of scores came in the opening eleven minutes while other teammates scored in the final stages after the other team had crossed, ensuring the Irish team concluded on a positive note.

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

"How we handled various aspects throughout the match, especially the opposition coming back just before half-time and regathering ourselves and producing a display like we did in the later stages, I thought as far as field position and being familiar with most of our game in that later period was really pleasing."

The might of the Springboks are awaiting for the team, in what could be considered as an informal decider to last year's tied multiple match contest on opposition 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 significant step in the right direction after an uninspiring start to their fall schedule.