Following their previous underwhelming performance against Japan, Andy Farrell told his Irish squad to step up their game.
The team listened immediately.
Ireland had struggled in the final stages against the All Blacks and required most of the match to find their rhythm versus Japan.
However, facing the Wallabies, they started strongly, with the talented back shining most prominently during a 46-19 triumph that represented Ireland's finest performance this year.
Making his debut international start at full-back, the player scored a hat-trick, competed excellently for aerial challenges and played exceptionally against the country of his origin.
"You know, I've experienced a pretty difficult run with fitness issues honestly," the athlete commented.
"I missed being in this team, I know there's much talk about me not exactly being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this team and this seems like home.
"Whenever I get to represent for Ireland it's a privilege, if you fail to deliver a good showing you may not get that privilege again.
"My entire focus this period was to go out and perform what I could do."
Manager declared: 'Good players don't need justifications'
After twenty-eight appearances on the wing, the player was entrusted the number 15 role for the initial time with multiple players unavailable.
For him, it was simply a case of continuing where he left off during the summer.
The 28-year-old had been in excellent condition before injury disrupted his dream of making the Test squad.
After come back recently, he developed a lower body problem that ruled him out for earlier fixtures.
Farrell had indicated that the player was particularly motivated and these proved not hollow statements as the ex- club player gave his coach a positive selection headache for future matches.
"Well my first reaction were, 'You need to play well in those different colored boots!'," commented Farrell, alluding to Hansen's choice to sport different footwear.
"Actually I believed that was appropriate but it seems Hansen just made that himself regardless. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even started.
"I told to him before the game, 'Excellent players require no excuses, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can win the man of the match if you choose,' and he went, 'Yeah, I agree.'
"Therefore he's that type of player, he trains well, he's has a excellent attitude to get across his preparation and so that's why he fitted straight back in and he was able to be himself because of that."
The player's efforts also received commendation from the opposing manager, who remarked he was the "standout Australian player" on the night.
"In my view he was super, his knowledge was evident to the fore," commented the ex- international manager.
"Regrettably, Hansen was probably the best opposition player on the field. He's has a excellent skillset and he's such a strong competitor."
Pressed about what enables Hansen a strong option 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 frequently.
"His aerial work was excellent, don't you think? I believed we didn't get bored of executing the right thing and that was placing the ball back on them to gain territory.
"The reason that was the right strategy to do is because it's the players of Mackie who was getting the possessions back, and additional players, so [it's] pretty satisfying."
Beyond the star performer, there were multiple encouraging aspects for Farrell.
Another player was outstanding on his return to the fly-half position, the scrum and throw-in functioned effectively and another teammate did not look uncomfortable in his debut appearance in the front row.
But possibly most pleasing for the manager was Ireland framing the game with multiple impressive periods.
Hansen's first two tries came in the opening eleven moments while additional players scored in the closing stages after the other team had crossed, ensuring the home team finished on a positive note.
"I thought we truly performed freely and attacked the game right from the beginning," stated the coach.
"The way we handled various elements throughout the match, especially them coming back just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and producing a performance 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 really satisfying."
The might of South Africa are next up for the team, in what might be viewed as an informal conclusion to the previous season's drawn multiple match series on opposition soil.
Farrell's team will require to reach another standard to beat the back-to-back world champions, but Saturday's victory of the Wallabies was a significant advancement in the correct direction after an disappointing beginning to their autumn schedule.
