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

Ireland listened right away.

Ireland had struggled in the final stages against New Zealand and required considerable time to get going versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, facing Australia, they began powerfully, with the talented back excelling most prominently during a 46-19 victory that marked Ireland's finest performance this year.

Making his first international appearance at full-back, the player registered a three tries, contested excellently for high balls and performed exceptionally against the nation of his origin.

"You know, I've had a fairly difficult period with injuries honestly," the athlete commented.

"I longed for being in this team, I understand there's much discussion about me not exactly being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this group and this seems like family.

"Any time I get to play for the national team it's a privilege, if you don't put in a performance you might not receive that privilege again.

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

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

Following 28 caps on the flank, Hansen was entrusted the full-back role for the first time with several players unavailable.

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

The experienced player had been in superb form before injury disrupted his aspiration of making the international squad.

After returned last month, he suffered a foot injury that ruled him out for earlier matches.

Farrell had suggested that the player was especially motivated and these turned out to be not empty statements as the ex- provincial player gave his manager a positive selection dilemma for upcoming games.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You better play well in those two colored boots!'," commented the coach, alluding to Hansen's choice to wear mismatched boots.

"In fact I thought that was fitting but apparently Mack just did that personally anyway. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even started.

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

"Therefore he's that type of player, he prepares thoroughly, he's got a excellent approach to understand his detail and so that's why he slotted straight into the team and he was capable to perform naturally because of that."

Hansen's efforts also received praise from the opposing coach, who stated he was the "standout Australian performer" on the night.

"In my view he was super, his experience showed to the fore," commented the former international coach.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was probably the standout opposition performer on the field. He's got a great ability and he's such a good contender."

Pressed about what enables the player a strong option at full-back, the coach added: "Showing up in the middle of the field is a trait that he does from the flank anyway, but I suppose he's better in position for that more often.

"The player's high ball play was brilliant, don't you think? I believed we persisted of doing the correct approach and that was placing the possession again on them to secure territory.

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

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

Another player was excellent on his return to the number 10 position, the set piece and line-out operated smoothly and different teammate did not appear out of place in his first appearance in the forwards.

But perhaps most satisfying for Farrell was Ireland bookending the game with two impressive periods.

Hansen's first couple of scores occurred in the first eleven minutes while other teammates scored in the closing exchanges after the opposition had scored, ensuring the home team finished on a positive note.

"In my opinion we truly let ourselves go and approached the match straight from the beginning," said the coach.

"How we handled numerous aspects during the game, especially them responding just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and giving a display like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as field position and being across the majority of our game in that later period was truly pleasing."

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

The coach's team will need to reach another standard to beat the back-to-back title holders, but Saturday's defeat of the Wallabies was a significant advancement in the correct path after an disappointing beginning to their fall schedule.