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Following last week's disappointing performance against the Japanese team, the head coach challenged his Irish squad to improve their performance.

Ireland listened right away.

The Irish side had struggled late against the All Blacks and taken most of the match to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

However, against Australia, they began powerfully, with Mack Hansen excelling most prominently during a comprehensive triumph that marked Ireland's finest performance of the season.

In his debut international appearance at full-back, the player scored a three tries, contested brilliantly for high balls and performed outstandingly against the country of his birth.

"Look, I've experienced a pretty difficult run with fitness issues really," the athlete stated.

"I missed being in this team, I know there's much talk about me not necessarily being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this group and this seems like home.

"Whenever I have to represent for the national team it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a good showing you might not receive that opportunity again.

"My entire approach this week was to take the field and perform what I can do."

Manager declared: 'Good players require no justifications'

Following 28 caps on the wing, Hansen was given the number 15 position for the initial time with several teammates injured.

In his case, it was simply a matter of continuing where he left off during the summer.

The 28-year-old had been in excellent form before physical issues ended his aspiration of joining the international team.

After returned recently, he suffered a foot injury that ruled him out for earlier matches.

Farrell had indicated that the player was particularly motivated and these turned out to be not hollow statements as the ex- provincial player gave his coach a positive team dilemma for upcoming matches.

"Well my initial reaction were, 'You better play excellently in those different coloured shoes!'," said the coach, alluding to Hansen's choice to wear different footwear.

"Actually I thought that was appropriate but apparently Mack just did that himself anyway. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes don't need justifications, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can win the player of the game if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yes, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that kind of performer, he trains thoroughly, he's got a excellent attitude to get across his preparation and thus that's why he fitted straight into the team and he was able to be himself due to that."

Hansen's performance also earned commendation from the rival manager, who remarked he was the "exceptional Australian player" on the night.

"I thought he was outstanding, his knowledge was evident to the fore," said the ex- international manager.

"Regrettably, Hansen was probably the best opposition player on the pitch. He's got a excellent skillset and he's such a strong competitor."

When asked about what makes the player a good option at full-back, the coach added: "Appearing in the middle of the pitch is a trait that he does from the wing regardless, but I imagine he's better in place for that more often.

"His high ball play was excellent, don't you think? I believed we didn't get bored of doing the right thing and that was putting the ball again on them to gain field position.

"The reason that was the right thing to do is since it's the players of Mackie who was getting the balls back, and additional players, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

Beyond the star performer, there were numerous positives for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his comeback to the fly-half jersey, the scrum and line-out functioned effectively and another teammate did not appear uncomfortable in his debut appearance in the front row.

But possibly more pleasing for the manager was the team framing the match with two impressive spells.

The player's first two tries occurred in the opening 11 moments while additional players registered in the closing stages after the opposition had crossed, ensuring the home side finished on a positive note.

"In my opinion we truly let ourselves go and attacked the match right from the beginning," stated the coach.

"How we handled numerous aspects throughout the game, especially the opposition responding just before half-time and regathering ourselves and giving a display like we achieved in the later stages, I thought as far as field position and being across the majority of our strategy in that second half was truly satisfying."

The might of the Springboks are next up for Ireland, in what could be considered as an unofficial conclusion to the previous season's tied two-Test series on opposition territory.

Farrell's side will require to attain a higher standard to defeat the back-to-back world champions, but the recent victory of the Australian team was a significant advancement in the right direction after an uninspiring beginning to their fall schedule.