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After last week's underwhelming showing against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell challenged his Irish squad to step up their game.

Ireland listened immediately.

The Irish side had faded late against New Zealand and required considerable time to find their rhythm versus Japan.

Nevertheless, against the Wallabies, they started strongly, with the talented back excelling brightest during a comprehensive triumph that marked Ireland's finest display this year.

In his debut test match appearance at full-back, Hansen registered a hat-trick, competed excellently for high balls and played exceptionally against the country of his origin.

"Look, I've had a pretty challenging run with fitness issues really," Hansen commented.

"I missed being in this team, I know there's considerable discussion about me not necessarily being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this group and this feels like family.

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

"My whole approach this week was to take the field and do what I could do."

Coach stated: 'Good athletes don't need justifications'

After twenty-eight appearances on the wing, the player was entrusted the full-back role for the first time with multiple players injured.

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

The 28-year-old had been in superb condition before injury ended his aspiration of making the Test squad.

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

Farrell had suggested that the player was particularly determined and these turned out to be not empty words as the former provincial player gave his manager a positive team dilemma for future games.

"Well my initial reaction were, 'You need to perform well in those two colored boots!'," said Farrell, alluding to the player's choice to sport different footwear.

"Actually I thought that was appropriate but apparently Mack just did that himself anyway. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even started.

"I said to him before the match, 'Good athletes don't need excuses, they can perform and just play naturally, you can win the player of the game if you choose,' and he went, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"So he's that type of player, he prepares thoroughly, he's got a great approach to understand his detail and so that's why he fitted straight back in and he was able to be himself because of that."

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

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

"Regrettably, Mack was probably the best opposition player on the field. He's got a excellent ability and he's such a strong contender."

Pressed about what makes the player a strong fit at full-back, the coach added: "Showing up in the middle of the pitch is something that he does from the wing regardless, but I suppose he's better in position for that frequently.

"The player's high ball play was excellent, wasn't it? I thought we persisted of executing the correct approach and that was placing the possession again on them to gain territory.

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

Beyond the star performer, there were multiple encouraging aspects for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his return to the number 10 position, the scrum and line-out operated effectively and another player did not appear uncomfortable in his debut start in the forwards.

But possibly most pleasing for Farrell was Ireland bookending the match with multiple impressive spells.

Hansen's initial two scores occurred in the first eleven minutes while additional teammates scored in the closing stages after the other team had crossed, guaranteeing the Irish team concluded on a high.

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

"The way we managed various aspects during the game, especially them coming back just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and producing a performance like we did in the later stages, I believed as far as territory and being across the majority of our game in that second half was really pleasing."

The might of the Springboks are awaiting for Ireland, in what might be considered as an unofficial decider to the previous season's drawn two-Test contest on rival soil.

Farrell's team will require to attain another level to beat the back-to-back title holders, but Saturday's defeat of the Wallabies was a significant step in the right direction after an disappointing beginning to their autumn schedule.