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Following last week's underwhelming performance against Japan, Andy Farrell told his Ireland squad to improve their game.

The team responded right away.

Ireland had struggled late against the All Blacks and taken considerable time to find their rhythm versus Japan.

However, against the Wallabies, they started powerfully, with the talented back shining most prominently during a comprehensive triumph that marked the team's best performance this year.

In his first international appearance at full-back, Hansen scored a three tries, contested brilliantly for aerial challenges and played outstandingly against the nation of his birth.

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

"I missed being in this team, I know there's much discussion about me not necessarily being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this team and this feels like family.

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

"My entire approach this week was to go out and do what I could do."

Coach stated: 'Excellent athletes require no excuses'

After twenty-eight appearances on the wing, Hansen was given the number 15 role for the first time with multiple players injured.

For him, it was simply a case of continuing where he finished during the warmer months.

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

Having come back recently, he suffered a lower body injury that ruled him out for earlier fixtures.

Farrell had indicated that the player was especially motivated and these turned out to be not hollow statements as the ex- club player gave his manager a positive selection headache for future matches.

"Well my first reaction were, 'You need to play well in those different coloured shoes!'," commented Farrell, referring to Hansen's choice to sport different boots.

"Actually I believed that was appropriate but apparently Mack just made that personally regardless. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the game, 'Excellent athletes don't need excuses, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can get the player of the game if you want,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"So he's that kind of performer, he trains well, he's has a excellent attitude to understand his preparation and so that's why he slotted straight back in and he was able to be himself due to that."

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

"In my view he was outstanding, his knowledge showed to the fore," commented the former international manager.

"Regrettably, Mack was probably the best Australian player on the field. He's got a great ability and he's such a good contender."

When asked about what makes the player a strong option at full-back, Farrell added: "Showing up in the center of the field is a trait that he demonstrates from the flank anyway, but I suppose he's more in place for that more often.

"His aerial play was brilliant, wasn't it? I thought we didn't get bored of executing the right approach and that was placing the possession back on them to secure territory.

"The reason that was the right thing to do is because it's the likes of Hansen who was getting the balls back, and other teammates, so [it's] quite pleasing."

Outside Hansen, there were multiple encouraging aspects for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his return to the number 10 jersey, the set piece and line-out functioned smoothly and different teammate did not look out of place in his first start in the forwards.

But perhaps most pleasing for Farrell was Ireland framing the match with two impressive spells.

The player's first couple of tries occurred in the opening 11 moments while other players scored in the closing exchanges after the opposition had scored, ensuring the home team finished on a high.

"In my opinion we truly let ourselves go and attacked the game straight from the beginning," said Farrell.

"How we managed various elements during the game, especially them coming back just before half-time and regathering ourselves and giving a display like we achieved in the second half, I believed as far as field position and being across the majority of our strategy in that second half was truly satisfying."

The might of South Africa are awaiting for Ireland, in what could be viewed as an informal decider to the previous season's drawn two-Test contest on opposition territory.

Farrell's side will require to attain a higher level to beat the consecutive world champions, but the recent victory of the Australian team was a significant step in the right path after an uninspiring beginning to their fall campaign.