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After last week's underwhelming showing against the Japanese team, the head coach told his Irish squad to step up their game.

Ireland listened right away.

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

Nevertheless, against Australia, they began strongly, with the talented back shining brightest during a comprehensive victory that marked Ireland's best display this year.

In his first test match appearance at full-back, Hansen registered a hat-trick, competed excellently for aerial challenges and performed exceptionally against the nation of his origin.

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

"I missed 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 adore this team and this seems like family.

"Whenever I have to play for the national team it's a honor, if you don't put in a performance you may not get that opportunity again.

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

Coach declared: 'Excellent athletes don't need justifications'

Following 28 caps on the flank, the player was given the number 15 position for the first time with several players unavailable.

For him, it was essentially a matter of continuing where he left off during the warmer months.

The 28-year-old had been in superb form before physical issues ended his aspiration of joining the Test squad.

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

Farrell had indicated that Hansen was particularly determined and these proved not empty words as the former provincial player gave his coach a welcome team dilemma for upcoming matches.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You better play well in those different coloured boots!'," commented the coach, alluding to the player's choice to wear different boots.

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

"I told to him before the match, 'Excellent players don't need justifications, they can perform and just be themselves, you can win the man of the match if you want,' and he went, 'Yes, I agree.'

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

The player's efforts also earned praise from the rival manager, who remarked he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the evening.

"In my view he was outstanding, his knowledge showed to the front," commented the ex- international coach.

"Unfortunately, Mack was probably the standout Australian performer on the field. He's got a excellent skillset and he's such a good competitor."

When asked about what makes the player a good fit at the number 15 position, the coach added: "Appearing in the middle of the field is a trait that he does from the flank regardless, but I suppose he's better in place for that more often.

"The player's high ball play was brilliant, wasn't it? I thought we didn't get bored of executing the right thing and that was placing the ball back on them to secure territory.

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

Outside the star performer, there were multiple encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his return to the number 10 jersey, the scrum and line-out functioned effectively and another teammate did not look out of place in his debut appearance in the forwards.

But perhaps most satisfying for the manager was Ireland framing the game with two impressive spells.

The player's initial two scores came in the opening eleven minutes while additional teammates registered in the closing exchanges after the opposition had crossed, guaranteeing the home team concluded on a positive note.

"In my opinion we really let ourselves go and attacked the match straight from the beginning," stated the coach.

"How we handled various aspects throughout the match, especially them coming back just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and producing a display like we achieved in the later stages, I believed as far as field position and being across the majority of our strategy in that later period was really pleasing."

The might of South Africa are next up for Ireland, in what could be viewed as an informal conclusion to the previous season's tied multiple match series on opposition territory.

Farrell's side will require to reach a higher standard to defeat the consecutive title holders, but the recent victory of the Wallabies was a significant step in the right direction after an uninspiring beginning to their fall schedule.