Following last week's underwhelming showing against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell challenged his Ireland team to improve their game.
Ireland listened right away.
Ireland had struggled late against New Zealand and required considerable time to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.
However, facing Australia, they started strongly, with the talented back shining most prominently during a comprehensive triumph that represented the team's best performance of the season.
In his debut test match start at full-back, the player registered a three tries, contested brilliantly for aerial challenges and performed exceptionally against the country of his birth.
"Look, I've experienced a pretty challenging period with injuries really," the athlete stated.
"I missed being in this squad, I understand there's much discussion about me not necessarily being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this team and this feels like home.
"Whenever I get to represent for Ireland it's a privilege, if you fail to deliver a good showing you might not receive that privilege again.
"My entire approach this period was to go out and do what I can do."
Manager stated: 'Good players don't need justifications'
Following 28 caps on the wing, the player was entrusted the number 15 position for the first time with multiple players injured.
For him, it was simply a matter of picking up where he finished during the summer.
The 28-year-old had been in superb condition before injury disrupted his dream of joining the international team.
Having come back last month, he suffered a lower body injury that ruled him out for earlier matches.
Farrell had suggested that Hansen was especially determined and these proved not empty statements as the ex- club player gave his coach a welcome team dilemma for upcoming games.
"So my initial thoughts were, 'You need to perform excellently in those two coloured boots!'," said the coach, referring to Hansen's decision to wear different footwear.
"In fact I thought that was appropriate but it seems Mack just made that himself anyway. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even started.
"I said to him before the game, 'Good players require no justifications, they can perform and just play naturally, you can get the man of the match if you want,' and he went, 'Yeah, I concur.'
"So he's that type of player, he prepares thoroughly, he's has a excellent attitude to get across his detail and thus that's why he slotted straight into the team and he was able to perform naturally due to that."
Hansen's performance also received praise from the rival manager, who remarked he was the "exceptional Australian performer" on the night.
"I thought he was super, his knowledge showed to the fore," said the ex- national manager.
"Regrettably, Hansen was likely the standout opposition performer on the pitch. He's has a excellent skillset and he's such a strong competitor."
Pressed about what makes Hansen a good fit at full-back, the coach continued: "Showing up in the center of the field is something that he does from the flank anyway, but I suppose he's better in place for that frequently.
"The player's aerial work was excellent, don't you think? I believed we persisted of executing the correct approach and that was putting the ball back on them to secure field position.
"Why that was the correct thing to do is because it's the players of Mackie who was getting the possessions back, and other teammates, so [it's] quite pleasing."
Beyond Hansen, there were multiple encouraging aspects for Farrell.
Another player was outstanding on his return to the number 10 position, the set piece and throw-in functioned effectively and another player did not appear uncomfortable in his debut appearance in the front row.
But possibly more satisfying for Farrell was the team framing the game with two impressive spells.
The player's initial two tries came in the first 11 minutes while additional players scored in the final exchanges after the opposition had crossed, ensuring the Irish team concluded on a high.
"I thought we truly performed freely and attacked the match straight from the beginning," stated Farrell.
"How we managed numerous aspects throughout the match, particularly them responding just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and giving a display like we did in the later stages, I believed as far as territory and being familiar with most of our game in that later period was truly pleasing."
The might of South Africa are next up for Ireland, in what could be viewed as an informal conclusion to last year's drawn two-Test contest on opposition soil.
The coach's team will require to reach another level to defeat the consecutive world champions, but Saturday's defeat of the Australian team was a important advancement in the right path after an uninspiring start to their autumn campaign.
