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After last week's underwhelming performance against Japan, Andy Farrell challenged his Irish squad to improve their game.

Ireland listened immediately.

The Irish side had faded late against the All Blacks and required considerable time to get going versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, against the Wallabies, they began powerfully, with the talented back excelling brightest during a comprehensive triumph that marked the team's finest performance of the season.

Making his debut international appearance at the number 15 position, Hansen registered a three tries, contested excellently for aerial challenges and played exceptionally against the country of his birth.

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

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

"Whenever I get to represent for Ireland it's a honor, if you don't put in a good showing you might not get that privilege again.

"My whole focus this week was to go out and perform what I can do."

Manager declared: 'Excellent players require no excuses'

After 28 appearances on the flank, the player was entrusted the full-back position for the first time with multiple 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 condition before physical issues ended his aspiration of making the Test team.

After returned recently, he suffered a lower body injury that ruled him out for previous matches.

Farrell had suggested that the player was especially motivated and these proved not empty words as the former club player gave his manager a positive team headache for upcoming games.

"So my first thoughts were, 'You need to play excellently in those different colored boots!'," said Farrell, referring to Hansen's decision to sport mismatched boots.

"In fact I thought that was fitting but it seems Mack just did that personally regardless. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the game, 'Excellent athletes require no excuses, they can perform and just be themselves, you can win the player of the game if you want,' and he responded, 'Yes, I concur.'

"So he's that kind of performer, he prepares well, he's got a great attitude to understand his detail and so that's why he fitted straight back in and he was able to be himself due to that."

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

"In my view he was super, his experience was evident to the front," commented the ex- international manager.

"Unfortunately, Mack was likely the best opposition player on the pitch. He's got a excellent skillset and he's such a good contender."

Pressed about what enables the player a strong fit at full-back, Farrell continued: "Appearing in the middle of the pitch is a trait that he demonstrates from the flank anyway, but I suppose he's more in place for that more often.

"The player's high ball play was excellent, don't you think? I believed we didn't get bored of doing the right approach and that was placing the possession back on them to gain territory.

"The reason that was the correct strategy to do is because it's the players of Hansen who was securing the balls returned, and other teammates, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

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

Another player was excellent on his comeback to the number 10 position, the scrum and throw-in operated effectively and another teammate did not appear out of place in his first start in the front row.

But perhaps most satisfying for Farrell was Ireland framing the match with multiple impressive periods.

The player's initial two scores occurred in the first eleven moments while other teammates scored in the final exchanges after the other team had scored, guaranteeing the home team concluded on a high.

"I thought we really let ourselves go and approached the match straight from the beginning," said Farrell.

"How we managed various aspects during the match, especially them responding just before half-time and regathering ourselves and giving a performance like we did in the later stages, I believed as far as territory and being familiar with most of our strategy in that later period was really satisfying."

The strength of South Africa are awaiting for Ireland, in what might be considered as an informal conclusion to last year's tied two-Test contest on opposition soil.

Farrell's side will require to attain another standard to beat the back-to-back world champions, but the recent defeat of the Australian team was a important step in the right path after an disappointing start to their fall campaign.