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After last week's underwhelming showing against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell told his Ireland team to step up their performance.

Ireland listened right away.

The Irish side had faded in the final stages against New Zealand and taken most of the match to get going versus Japan.

However, against the Wallabies, they started powerfully, with the talented back excelling brightest during a comprehensive triumph that represented Ireland's finest performance of the season.

In his first international start at full-back, the player scored a hat-trick, competed excellently for aerial challenges and played exceptionally against the nation of his origin.

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

"I missed being in this squad, I know there's considerable talk about me not exactly being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this group and this feels like family.

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

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

Coach stated: 'Good players don't need justifications'

After 28 caps on the flank, the player was given the number 15 role for the initial time with several players unavailable.

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

The experienced player had been in excellent condition before physical issues ended his dream of joining the Test squad.

After returned last month, he suffered a lower body problem that ruled him out for previous matches.

The coach had suggested that the player was especially motivated and these proved not empty statements as the former provincial player gave his manager a positive selection dilemma for upcoming games.

"So my first reaction were, 'You better play well in those different colored boots!'," said Farrell, alluding to Hansen's decision to wear different footwear.

"In fact I thought that was appropriate but apparently Hansen just made that himself regardless. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the match, 'Good 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 responded, 'Yes, I concur.'

"So he's that type of player, he trains thoroughly, he's got a great attitude to get across his preparation and thus that's why he fitted right into the team and he was able to perform naturally because of that."

The player's performance also received praise from the opposing coach, who stated he was the "standout opposition performer" on the evening.

"I thought he was outstanding, his knowledge showed to the fore," commented the ex- international coach.

"Regrettably, Mack was likely the best Australian performer on the pitch. He's has a excellent ability and he's such a strong contender."

Pressed about what makes Hansen a strong option at the number 15 position, the coach continued: "Appearing in the middle of the pitch is a trait that he does from the wing 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 approach and that was placing the possession again on them to gain territory.

"The reason that was the correct thing to do is because it's the players of Mackie who was securing the possessions returned, and additional players, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

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

Another player was excellent on his return to the number 10 jersey, the scrum and throw-in operated effectively and different player did not appear out of place in his first appearance in the forwards.

But possibly more satisfying for the manager was the team bookending the match with two impressive periods.

The player's first two tries occurred in the first eleven moments while additional teammates registered in the final exchanges after the opposition had scored, ensuring the Irish team finished on a high.

"I thought we really let ourselves go and approached the match right from the word go," stated the coach.

"The way we managed various elements during the game, especially them coming back just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and producing a display like we achieved in the later stages, I believed as far as field position and being familiar with the majority of our strategy in that later period was truly pleasing."

The strength of the Springboks are next up for the team, in what could be considered as an unofficial conclusion to last year's tied two-Test contest on opposition territory.

The coach's side will need to reach another level to defeat the back-to-back title holders, but the recent victory of the Australian team was a important step in the correct path after an uninspiring start to their fall schedule.