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Following last week's underwhelming showing against Japan, the head coach told his Irish team to improve their game.

The team responded immediately.

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

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

Making his first international appearance at the number 15 position, Hansen registered a three tries, competed excellently for high balls and performed exceptionally against the country of his origin.

"Look, I've experienced a fairly difficult run with injuries really," Hansen stated.

"I missed being in this team, I understand there's much discussion about me not necessarily being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this group and this feels like home.

"Whenever I have to play for the national team it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a good showing you might not receive that privilege again.

"My entire focus this week was to take the field and perform what I could do."

Manager declared: 'Good athletes don't need excuses'

Following twenty-eight caps on the wing, Hansen was given the number 15 position for the first time with several players unavailable.

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

The 28-year-old had been in excellent form before injury disrupted his dream of making the international squad.

Having returned last month, he developed a lower body injury that ruled him out for earlier fixtures.

The coach had suggested that the player was particularly determined and these proved not hollow words as the ex- provincial player gave his manager a welcome team headache for upcoming games.

"So my initial reaction were, 'You need to perform excellently in those different coloured boots!'," said the coach, referring to the player's decision to sport mismatched footwear.

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

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

"Therefore he's that type of player, he trains well, he's got a great attitude to get across his detail and thus that's why he fitted right back in and he was capable to perform naturally because of that."

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

"In my view he was outstanding, his experience showed to the fore," commented the ex- national coach.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was probably the best Australian performer on the field. He's has a excellent ability and he's such a strong competitor."

Pressed about what enables the player a strong option at full-back, the coach continued: "Appearing in the middle of the field is a trait that he does from the wing regardless, but I imagine he's better in position for that frequently.

"His aerial work was brilliant, don't you think? I believed we didn't get bored of doing the right thing and that was putting the possession back on them to secure territory.

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

Outside Hansen, there were numerous encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Another player was outstanding on his return to the number 10 position, the scrum and throw-in operated effectively and another player did not appear out of place in his debut appearance in the forwards.

But possibly most satisfying for the manager was Ireland framing the game with multiple strong periods.

Hansen's first couple of scores came in the first eleven moments while additional players registered in the closing exchanges after the other team had scored, ensuring the home side finished on a high.

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

"How we managed numerous aspects throughout the game, especially them responding just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and producing a performance like we achieved in the later stages, I thought as far as territory and being across the majority of our game in that second half was really satisfying."

The strength of the Springboks are next up for the team, in what might be viewed as an informal conclusion to last year's tied multiple match contest on opposition soil.

The coach's side will need to attain another standard to defeat the back-to-back world champions, but Saturday's victory of the Wallabies was a significant advancement in the correct path after an uninspiring start to their fall campaign.