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After their previous underwhelming showing against the Japanese team, the head coach challenged his Ireland squad to improve their game.

The team listened immediately.

Ireland had struggled in the final stages against the All Blacks and taken considerable time to get going versus Japan.

Nevertheless, facing Australia, they started strongly, with Mack Hansen excelling most prominently during a comprehensive victory that marked Ireland's best performance of the season.

Making his debut international start at the number 15 position, Hansen registered a three tries, competed brilliantly for aerial challenges and performed exceptionally against the country of his birth.

"You know, I've experienced a pretty difficult period with fitness issues really," the athlete commented.

"I longed for being in this squad, I understand there's much talk about me not exactly being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this team and this seems like home.

"Whenever I get to play for the national team it's a privilege, if you don't put in a performance you may not get that privilege again.

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

Coach stated: 'Good athletes require no justifications'

After twenty-eight appearances on the flank, Hansen was given the full-back role for the initial time with several players injured.

In his case, it was simply a case of continuing where he finished during the warmer months.

The 28-year-old had been in superb condition before physical issues disrupted his aspiration of making the Test team.

After come back recently, he suffered a foot problem that made him unavailable for earlier matches.

The coach had suggested that Hansen was especially motivated and these turned out to be not empty statements as the ex- club player gave his manager a welcome selection headache for future matches.

"So my first thoughts were, 'You need to perform well in those different colored shoes!'," said the coach, referring to Hansen's choice to sport mismatched boots.

"Actually I thought that was fitting but it seems Hansen just made that himself anyway. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the game, 'Excellent players don't need excuses, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can win the man of the match if you want,' and he went, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that kind of performer, he prepares thoroughly, he's got a excellent approach to understand his detail and so that's why he fitted right into the team and he was capable to be himself due to that."

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

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

"Unfortunately, Mack was likely 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 strong fit at the number 15 position, Farrell continued: "Showing up in the middle of the field is a trait that he demonstrates from the flank regardless, but I suppose he's better in position for that frequently.

"The player's high ball play was brilliant, wasn't it? I believed we persisted of doing the right approach and that was placing the ball back on them to gain field position.

"The reason that was the correct thing to do is because it's the likes of Mackie who was securing the balls returned, and additional teammates, so [it's] quite pleasing."

Outside the star performer, there were numerous encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Another player was outstanding on his comeback to the number 10 position, the scrum and line-out operated effectively and different player did not appear uncomfortable in his first appearance in the front row.

But perhaps more pleasing for the manager was Ireland bookending the match with two impressive periods.

The player's first two scores came in the first 11 minutes while additional teammates scored in the final exchanges after the other team had scored, ensuring the home team concluded on a high.

"In my opinion we really performed freely and approached the game right from the beginning," said Farrell.

"The way we handled numerous elements throughout the match, especially them responding just before the break and regathering ourselves and giving a display like we did in the later stages, I thought as far as field position and being across most of our strategy in that second half was really pleasing."

The might of the Springboks are next up for the team, in what might be considered as an unofficial decider to the previous season's tied multiple match contest on rival territory.

The coach's team will require to attain a higher standard to defeat the back-to-back world champions, but Saturday's victory of the Wallabies was a significant advancement in the correct path after an uninspiring beginning to their fall campaign.