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After last week's underwhelming performance against the Japanese team, the head coach told his Irish team to step up their game.

Ireland listened right away.

The Irish side had faded late against New Zealand and required considerable time to get going versus Japan.

Nevertheless, facing Australia, they began strongly, with the talented back shining brightest during a 46-19 victory that marked Ireland's best display this year.

In his first test match appearance at the number 15 position, the player registered a hat-trick, contested brilliantly for high balls and played outstandingly against the country of his birth.

"You know, I've experienced a pretty difficult period with fitness issues really," the athlete commented.

"I longed for being in this squad, I know there's much talk about me not exactly being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this group 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 receive that privilege again.

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

Coach stated: 'Excellent players require no justifications'

Following 28 caps on the flank, the player was given the number 15 position for the first time with multiple players unavailable.

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

The experienced player had been in excellent condition before physical issues ended his aspiration of joining the international team.

After come back last month, he developed a foot problem that made him unavailable for previous matches.

Farrell had suggested that Hansen was especially motivated and these turned out to be not empty statements as the former club player gave his manager a positive team headache for future matches.

"Well my first reaction were, 'You need to perform excellently in those different colored boots!'," said Farrell, alluding to the player's decision to sport mismatched footwear.

"Actually I believed that was fitting but it seems Hansen just made that himself regardless. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even started.

"I said to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes require no justifications, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can get the player of the game if you want,' and he went, 'Yes, I concur.'

"So he's that type of player, he prepares well, he's got a excellent attitude to get across his detail and so that's why he slotted right into the team and he was able to be himself because of that."

Hansen's efforts also earned praise from the opposing manager, who stated he was the "standout opposition player" on the night.

"I thought he was super, his knowledge was evident to the front," said the former international coach.

"Regrettably, Mack was likely the best Australian player on the pitch. He's got a great ability and he's such a strong competitor."

When asked about what enables the player a good fit at the number 15 position, Farrell continued: "Appearing in the middle of the pitch is a trait that he does from the wing anyway, but I suppose he's more in place for that frequently.

"His aerial work was excellent, wasn't it? I thought we persisted of doing the correct thing and that was putting the possession again 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 possessions back, and additional teammates, so [it's] quite satisfying."

Outside the star performer, there were multiple positives for Farrell.

Another player was outstanding on his comeback to the number 10 jersey, the set piece and throw-in operated effectively and different player did not look out of place in his debut start in the forwards.

But perhaps most pleasing for the manager was the team bookending the match with two strong periods.

Hansen's first two scores occurred in the first eleven moments while additional teammates scored in the closing stages after the other team had scored, guaranteeing the Irish team finished on a high.

"In my opinion we truly performed freely and approached the match right from the beginning," said the coach.

"How we managed various aspects during the match, particularly them coming back just before the break and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we achieved in the later stages, I thought as far as field position and being familiar with the majority of our strategy in that second half was truly satisfying."

The strength of the Springboks are awaiting for the team, in what could be considered as an unofficial conclusion to the previous season's drawn two-Test contest on rival soil.

Farrell's side will need to attain a higher standard to defeat the back-to-back title holders, but the recent defeat of the Wallabies was a significant advancement in the right path after an uninspiring start to their autumn campaign.