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Following last week's disappointing performance against Japan, the head coach challenged his Irish squad to step up their performance.

Ireland responded right away.

Ireland had struggled in the final stages against New Zealand and required considerable time to find their rhythm versus Japan.

However, facing the Wallabies, they started strongly, with the talented back excelling most prominently during a 46-19 triumph that marked the team's finest display of the season.

In his first international start at the number 15 position, the player registered a hat-trick, competed brilliantly for high balls and played outstandingly against the nation of his birth.

"You know, I've experienced a pretty difficult run with injuries honestly," the athlete stated.

"I missed being in this squad, I understand there's considerable discussion about me not necessarily being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this team and this seems like home.

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

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

Manager declared: 'Good players require no justifications'

Following 28 appearances on the flank, Hansen was entrusted the number 15 role for the first time with several players unavailable.

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

The 28-year-old had been in superb form before physical issues disrupted his aspiration of making the international squad.

After come back recently, he suffered a lower body problem that made him unavailable for previous fixtures.

Farrell had indicated that the player was especially determined and these proved not empty statements as the ex- club player gave his manager a welcome selection headache for future games.

"So my first reaction were, 'You need to perform excellently in those different colored boots!'," commented the coach, referring to the player's decision to sport mismatched boots.

"In fact I thought that was fitting but apparently Mack just did that himself 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 perform and just play naturally, you can win the man of the match if you choose,' and he went, 'Yes, I concur.'

"So he's that kind of player, he prepares well, he's got a great attitude to understand his detail and thus that's why he fitted right into the team and he was capable to be himself because of that."

Hansen's performance also received commendation from the rival coach, who remarked he was the "exceptional opposition player" on the night.

"I thought he was outstanding, his experience was evident to the front," said the former national manager.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was probably the standout opposition player on the pitch. He's has a great ability and he's such a good competitor."

Pressed about what enables the player a strong fit at the number 15 position, Farrell added: "Showing up in the middle of the field is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing regardless, but I suppose he's better in position for that more often.

"His aerial play was excellent, wasn't it? I believed we persisted of executing the right approach and that was putting the ball again on them to secure territory.

"The reason that was the correct thing to do is since it's the players of Mackie who was getting the balls back, and additional players, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

Beyond the star performer, there were numerous positives for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his comeback to the fly-half jersey, the set piece and throw-in functioned effectively and different teammate did not look uncomfortable in his debut start in the front row.

But perhaps more satisfying for Farrell was the team bookending the match with two strong periods.

The player's initial two scores occurred in the first 11 minutes while additional players scored in the closing stages after the other team had crossed, ensuring the home team finished on a positive note.

"I thought we truly let ourselves go and approached the match right from the word go," stated the coach.

"The way we handled numerous elements throughout the game, especially them coming back just before the break and regathering ourselves and giving a performance like we achieved in the later stages, I thought as far as territory and being across the majority of our strategy in that second half was truly pleasing."

The strength of the Springboks are awaiting for Ireland, in what could be viewed as an unofficial conclusion to the previous season's drawn multiple match series on opposition territory.

Farrell's side will need to reach a higher standard to beat the consecutive world champions, but Saturday's victory of the Wallabies was a important advancement in the right path after an disappointing start to their autumn campaign.