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

The team listened right away.

The Irish side had struggled in the final stages against the All Blacks and taken considerable time to get going versus their Asian opponents.

However, against Australia, they started strongly, with the talented back shining most prominently during a comprehensive triumph that represented the team's finest display of the season.

In his debut test match appearance at full-back, the player scored a three tries, contested excellently for high balls and performed outstandingly against the nation of his origin.

"Look, I've had a pretty challenging period with fitness issues honestly," the athlete stated.

"I longed for being in this team, I know there's considerable discussion about me not necessarily being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this group and this seems like family.

"Any time I have to represent for the national team it's a honor, if you don't put in a good showing you may not get that privilege again.

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

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

After twenty-eight caps on the wing, Hansen was given the full-back position for the initial time with multiple teammates unavailable.

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

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

After come back recently, he developed a lower body problem that ruled him out for earlier matches.

The coach had suggested that the player was especially determined and these turned out to be not empty statements as the ex- provincial player gave his coach a welcome selection dilemma for future matches.

"Well my first reaction were, 'You better play excellently in those different colored shoes!'," commented Farrell, alluding to Hansen's choice to sport mismatched boots.

"In fact I believed that was appropriate but apparently Hansen just made that personally anyway. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the match, 'Excellent players don't need justifications, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can win the player of the game if you choose,' and he went, 'Yes, I concur.'

"So he's that kind of player, he prepares thoroughly, he's has a great attitude to get across his detail and so that's why he slotted right into the team and he was able to be himself due to that."

Hansen's efforts also earned praise from the opposing manager, who stated he was the "standout Australian performer" on the evening.

"I thought he was outstanding, his knowledge was evident to the fore," commented the former international coach.

"Unfortunately, Mack was likely the standout opposition player on the field. He's got a great ability and he's such a good contender."

When asked about what makes Hansen a strong option at full-back, Farrell continued: "Showing up in the middle of the pitch is a trait that he does from the wing anyway, but I imagine he's more in place for that more often.

"The player's high ball play was brilliant, wasn't it? I thought we persisted of doing the right thing and that was putting the possession back on them to secure territory.

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

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

Another player was excellent on his comeback to the number 10 position, the set piece and throw-in operated smoothly and different teammate did not look uncomfortable in his first appearance in the forwards.

But perhaps more pleasing for the manager was Ireland framing the game with two impressive spells.

The player's initial couple of tries came in the first 11 minutes while other teammates registered in the closing exchanges after the other team had crossed, guaranteeing the Irish team finished on a positive note.

"I thought we truly let ourselves go and attacked the match straight from the word go," stated Farrell.

"How we managed numerous aspects during the game, especially the opposition responding just before the break and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we did in the second half, I believed as far as territory and being familiar with most of our strategy in that later period was really pleasing."

The might of the Springboks are awaiting for the team, in what might be considered as an unofficial conclusion to last year's tied multiple match contest on opposition territory.

Farrell's team will need to attain another standard to defeat the back-to-back world champions, but Saturday's victory of the Australian team was a important step in the correct direction after an disappointing start to their fall schedule.