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Following last week's underwhelming performance against Japan, the head coach told his Ireland team to improve their performance.

Ireland responded immediately.

The Irish side had faded in the final stages against the All Blacks and required considerable time to get going versus Japan.

Nevertheless, against Australia, they started powerfully, with the talented back shining brightest during a comprehensive triumph that marked the team's best display of the season.

Making his debut test match start at the number 15 position, Hansen registered a three tries, contested brilliantly for aerial challenges and played outstandingly against the nation of his birth.

"You know, I've had a pretty challenging period with injuries honestly," the athlete stated.

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

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

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

Manager stated: 'Excellent players require no justifications'

After 28 caps on the flank, Hansen was entrusted the full-back position for the first time with multiple teammates injured.

In his case, it was essentially a matter of picking up where he left off during the warmer months.

The experienced player had been in superb condition before injury disrupted his dream of making the Test team.

Having come back last month, he suffered a foot injury that ruled him out for previous matches.

The coach had indicated that Hansen was particularly motivated and these turned out to be not empty words as the former provincial player gave his manager a positive selection headache for future matches.

"Well my initial reaction were, 'You better play well in those different coloured shoes!'," said the coach, alluding to Hansen's decision to wear mismatched footwear.

"Actually I believed that was appropriate but it seems Mack just did that himself regardless. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the game, 'Good athletes don't need justifications, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can get the man of the match if you want,' and he responded, 'Yes, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that type of performer, he trains well, he's has a great approach to understand his preparation and so that's why he slotted straight back in and he was capable to be himself due to that."

Hansen's efforts also earned commendation from the opposing coach, who stated he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the evening.

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

"Regrettably, Hansen was likely the standout opposition player on the field. He's has a great skillset and he's such a good contender."

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

"His high ball play was excellent, wasn't it? I believed we persisted of executing the right approach and that was placing the possession again on them to gain field position.

"The reason that was the right thing to do is since it's the players of Mackie who was getting the possessions back, and other players, so [it's] quite satisfying."

Outside Hansen, there were multiple encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his comeback to the number 10 position, the scrum and throw-in operated smoothly and different player did not look uncomfortable in his first start in the forwards.

But perhaps most satisfying for the manager was Ireland framing the match with two impressive periods.

The player's first couple of tries came in the opening eleven moments while other players scored in the closing stages after the other team had scored, ensuring the Irish side concluded on a high.

"In my opinion we really let ourselves go and approached the game straight from the word go," stated the coach.

"The way we managed numerous aspects throughout the game, particularly them coming back just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and giving a display like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as territory and being familiar with most of our game in that later period was truly satisfying."

The might of South Africa are next up for the team, in what might be viewed as an unofficial decider to the previous season's tied two-Test contest on rival territory.

The coach's team will require to reach another standard to defeat the back-to-back world champions, but the recent defeat of the Australian team was a significant advancement in the right direction after an disappointing start to their autumn campaign.