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Following last week's disappointing showing against Japan, the head coach challenged his Ireland team to improve their game.

The team responded right away.

Ireland had struggled in the final stages against New Zealand and taken most of the match to get going versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, against the Wallabies, they started powerfully, with the talented back excelling brightest during a 46-19 victory that marked Ireland's best performance of the season.

In his debut test match appearance at full-back, the player scored a hat-trick, competed excellently for high balls and performed outstandingly against the nation of his birth.

"Look, I've had a fairly challenging period with injuries honestly," the athlete stated.

"I longed for being in this squad, I understand there's considerable talk about me not exactly being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this group and this seems like family.

"Whenever I get to represent for the national team it's a privilege, if you don't put in a good showing you may not receive that opportunity again.

"My whole approach this period was to go out and perform what I could do."

Manager stated: 'Excellent players require no excuses'

Following twenty-eight appearances on the flank, the player was given the full-back position for the first time with multiple players unavailable.

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

The 28-year-old had been in excellent condition before injury disrupted his dream of making the Test team.

After returned recently, he developed a lower body injury that made him unavailable for previous matches.

The coach had indicated that Hansen was particularly motivated and these proved not hollow words as the former club player gave his manager a welcome selection headache for upcoming games.

"Well my initial reaction were, 'You better play excellently in those two colored boots!'," commented the coach, referring to the player's choice to sport different boots.

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

"I told to him before the game, 'Excellent players don't need excuses, they can perform and just be themselves, you can get the player of the game if you want,' and he responded, 'Yes, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that kind of player, he prepares thoroughly, he's got a great attitude to understand his preparation and so that's why he slotted right back in and he was able to perform naturally because of that."

Hansen's performance also earned commendation from the opposing coach, who stated he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the night.

"In my view he was outstanding, his knowledge was evident to the fore," commented the former international manager.

"Regrettably, Mack was probably the best opposition performer on the field. He's has a great ability and he's such a good contender."

When asked about what enables the player a good fit at the number 15 position, Farrell continued: "Showing up in the center of the field is something that he does from the flank regardless, but I suppose he's more in place for that more often.

"His aerial work was brilliant, don't you think? I believed we didn't get bored of executing the right thing and that was putting the ball again on them to secure field position.

"The reason that was the correct strategy to do is since it's the likes of Mackie who was getting the balls back, and other teammates, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

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

Another player was excellent on his return to the number 10 position, the set piece and line-out functioned smoothly and another teammate did not appear uncomfortable in his debut start in the forwards.

But possibly more pleasing for Farrell was Ireland framing the match with two impressive periods.

Hansen's initial couple of scores occurred in the first 11 minutes while additional players scored in the closing stages after the other team had scored, ensuring the home side finished on a high.

"I thought we truly let ourselves go and approached the game straight from the beginning," said the coach.

"The way we managed various aspects throughout the game, especially the opposition coming back just before half-time and regathering ourselves and giving a performance like we did in the later stages, I believed as far as field position and being familiar with the majority of our game in that later period was really pleasing."

The strength of South Africa are awaiting for the team, in what could be considered as an informal conclusion to the previous season's tied multiple match series on opposition soil.

The coach's side will require to attain another standard to defeat the consecutive title holders, but the recent defeat of the Australian team was a significant advancement in the right path after an uninspiring start to their autumn schedule.