After their previous underwhelming performance against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell told his Ireland squad to improve their performance.
Ireland responded right away.
Ireland had faded late against the All Blacks and taken considerable time to get going versus Japan.
Nevertheless, against the Wallabies, they began strongly, with the talented back shining brightest during a comprehensive triumph that represented Ireland's finest display of the season.
Making his first test match start at the number 15 position, the player scored a three tries, competed brilliantly for high balls and played outstandingly against the nation of his origin.
"Look, I've had a fairly difficult period with injuries really," Hansen commented.
"I missed being in this team, I understand there's much discussion about me not necessarily being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this team and this feels like family.
"Whenever I have to represent for Ireland it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a performance you may not get that privilege again.
"My entire focus this week was to take the field and do what I could do."
Coach declared: 'Excellent players require no excuses'
After 28 caps on the wing, the player was entrusted the number 15 role for the first time with multiple teammates injured.
For him, it was simply a matter of picking up where he finished during the summer.
The 28-year-old had been in excellent form before injury disrupted his dream of joining the Test team.
After come back recently, he developed a lower body problem that ruled him out for previous matches.
The coach had indicated that the player was particularly motivated and these proved not hollow words as the ex- provincial player gave his coach a welcome team dilemma for future matches.
"Well my initial thoughts were, 'You need to perform excellently in those different coloured shoes!'," said the coach, referring to the player's decision to sport different boots.
"Actually I believed that was fitting but it seems Hansen just did that personally regardless. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even started.
"I said to him before the match, 'Good athletes don't need justifications, they can perform and just be themselves, you can win the player of the game if you want,' and he went, 'Yes, I agree.'
"So he's that type of performer, he prepares thoroughly, he's got a great attitude to understand his preparation and thus that's why he slotted right back in and he was capable to be himself because of that."
Hansen's performance also received praise from the opposing manager, who remarked he was the "standout Australian performer" on the evening.
"I thought he was outstanding, his knowledge showed to the fore," said the ex- national manager.
"Unfortunately, Mack was probably the best opposition player on the pitch. He's got a great ability and he's such a strong contender."
When asked about what enables Hansen a strong option at full-back, Farrell continued: "Appearing in the middle of the field is something that he demonstrates from the flank anyway, but I imagine he's better in position for that frequently.
"The player's aerial work was brilliant, wasn't it? I believed we didn't get bored of executing the right approach and that was placing the possession back on them to gain territory.
"Why that was the correct strategy to do is since it's the likes of Hansen who was getting the possessions returned, and other teammates, so [it's] quite pleasing."
Beyond the star performer, there were multiple encouraging aspects for Farrell.
Sam Prendergast was excellent on his return to the fly-half position, the scrum and line-out operated smoothly and another player did not appear uncomfortable in his debut start in the forwards.
But perhaps more satisfying for the manager was the team bookending the match with multiple strong periods.
Hansen's initial couple of tries occurred in the opening eleven moments while other teammates registered in the final stages after the other team had scored, guaranteeing the Irish team concluded on a positive note.
"I thought we really performed freely and approached the game straight from the beginning," stated Farrell.
"How we managed various elements during the game, especially the opposition coming back just before half-time and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we did in the later stages, I believed as far as territory and being familiar with the majority of our game in that second half was really satisfying."
The strength of South Africa are next up for Ireland, in what could be considered as an informal conclusion to the previous season's drawn multiple match contest on rival soil.
Farrell's team will require to reach a higher level to beat the back-to-back title holders, but Saturday's victory of the Wallabies was a important advancement in the correct path after an uninspiring start to their autumn schedule.
