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After last week's underwhelming showing against Japan, Andy Farrell challenged his Ireland squad to step up their performance.

The team listened right away.

The Irish side had faded late against New Zealand and taken considerable time to get going versus their Asian opponents.

However, against the Wallabies, they began strongly, with the talented back shining most prominently during a comprehensive triumph that represented the team's best performance of the season.

Making his first test match appearance at full-back, the player scored a three tries, competed brilliantly for aerial challenges and played exceptionally against the nation of his birth.

"You know, I've experienced a fairly challenging period with fitness issues honestly," Hansen stated.

"I longed for being in this squad, I know there's much talk about me not necessarily being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I love 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 may not receive that privilege again.

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

Coach declared: 'Good players require no justifications'

Following 28 caps on the wing, the player was given the number 15 role for the first time with multiple teammates injured.

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

The experienced player had been in superb condition before physical issues disrupted his aspiration of making the Test squad.

After returned recently, he developed a foot problem that made him unavailable for earlier matches.

The coach had indicated that Hansen was particularly motivated and these turned out to be not empty statements as the former club player gave his coach a welcome team headache for upcoming matches.

"So my initial reaction were, 'You better perform excellently in those different colored shoes!'," commented the coach, alluding to the player's choice to wear different footwear.

"In fact I thought that was fitting but apparently Mack just did that himself anyway. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even started.

"I said to him before the game, 'Excellent players don't need excuses, they can perform and just play naturally, you can get the player of the game if you choose,' and he went, 'Yes, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that type of performer, he prepares well, he's has a excellent attitude to understand his preparation and thus that's why he fitted right back in and he was able to be himself due to that."

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

"I thought he was outstanding, his experience was evident to the front," said the ex- national coach.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was likely the best Australian player on the pitch. He's got a great skillset and he's such a good competitor."

When asked about what makes the player a strong fit at full-back, Farrell added: "Appearing in the middle of the pitch is something that he demonstrates from the flank anyway, but I imagine he's better in position for that more often.

"His high ball play was excellent, don't you think? I thought we persisted of executing the correct thing and that was placing the ball again on them to gain territory.

"Why that was the right thing to do is since it's the players of Mackie who was securing the possessions returned, and other teammates, so [it's] quite satisfying."

Beyond Hansen, there were numerous encouraging aspects for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his comeback to the fly-half position, the set piece and throw-in functioned smoothly and different teammate did not look uncomfortable in his first start in the front row.

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

The player's initial two scores occurred in the opening eleven moments while other teammates registered in the closing exchanges after the other team had scored, ensuring the home side concluded on a high.

"I thought we truly performed freely and approached the match right from the word go," stated Farrell.

"The way we handled numerous elements throughout the game, particularly them responding just before the break and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we achieved in the later stages, I believed as far as field position and being familiar with most of our game in that second half was truly satisfying."

The might of South Africa are next up for Ireland, in what might be considered as an informal conclusion to last year's tied multiple match contest on opposition territory.

Farrell's team will need to attain another standard to defeat the back-to-back world champions, but Saturday's victory of the Australian team was a important advancement in the right direction after an uninspiring start to their fall campaign.