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Following last week's underwhelming showing against the Japanese team, the head coach challenged his Ireland team to step up their performance.

The team listened right away.

Ireland had faded late against the All Blacks and required most of the match to find their rhythm versus Japan.

Nevertheless, facing Australia, they began strongly, with Mack Hansen shining most prominently during a comprehensive victory that marked Ireland's finest performance this year.

In his debut test match start at the number 15 position, Hansen scored a three tries, contested excellently for high balls and performed exceptionally against the country of his origin.

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

"I missed being in this team, I know there's much discussion about me not necessarily being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this group and this feels like home.

"Any time I have to play for the national team it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a good showing you may not receive that privilege again.

"My entire focus this period was to take the field and perform what I could do."

Coach declared: 'Good players require no justifications'

After 28 caps on the flank, Hansen was given the number 15 position for the first time with multiple teammates injured.

For him, it was simply a matter of continuing where he left off during the summer.

The 28-year-old had been in superb condition before physical issues ended his dream of joining the international squad.

Having returned recently, he suffered a lower body problem that made him unavailable for earlier fixtures.

The coach had indicated that the player was especially determined and these proved not empty statements as the former club player gave his manager a welcome team headache for upcoming games.

"So my initial reaction were, 'You better play well in those different coloured shoes!'," said Farrell, alluding to the player's decision to sport mismatched footwear.

"In fact I thought that was appropriate but apparently Mack just did that personally anyway. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even started.

"I said to him before the game, 'Good athletes don't need excuses, they can perform and just play naturally, you can get the man of the match if you want,' and he went, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that type of performer, he prepares well, he's got a excellent approach to understand his detail and so that's why he slotted right into the team and he was capable to perform naturally because of that."

The player's efforts also received praise from the rival coach, who remarked he was the "standout Australian performer" on the night.

"I thought he was outstanding, his experience was evident to the front," commented the former international coach.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was likely the best Australian player on the field. He's has a great ability and he's such a strong competitor."

When asked about what makes Hansen a good option at full-back, the coach continued: "Showing up in the center of the pitch is something that he does from the flank anyway, but I suppose he's more in position for that more often.

"His high ball play was excellent, wasn't it? I thought we persisted of doing the correct thing and that was putting the possession again on them to secure field position.

"Why that was the correct strategy to do is since it's the likes of Mackie who was getting the possessions back, and other teammates, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Outside Hansen, there were numerous positives for Farrell.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his return to the number 10 position, the set piece and throw-in functioned effectively and another teammate did not appear uncomfortable in his first appearance in the front row.

But possibly more satisfying for the manager was the team framing the game with two impressive periods.

Hansen's first two scores came in the first eleven minutes while additional players registered in the closing exchanges after the opposition had crossed, ensuring the home team finished on a positive note.

"I thought we really let ourselves go and attacked the game straight from the beginning," stated Farrell.

"How we handled various elements during the game, especially the opposition responding just before half-time and regathering ourselves and giving a performance like we did in the second half, I thought as far as field position and being familiar with the majority of our game in that second half was truly satisfying."

The strength of South Africa are next up for Ireland, in what might be considered as an informal conclusion to last year's tied multiple match contest on opposition territory.

The coach's side will require to reach a higher level to defeat the consecutive world champions, but Saturday's victory of the Wallabies was a significant step in the right path after an disappointing start to their fall campaign.