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After their previous underwhelming performance against the Japanese team, the head coach challenged his Ireland team to step up their performance.

Ireland listened immediately.

The Irish side had faded in the final stages against New Zealand and required considerable time to get going versus their Asian opponents.

However, against Australia, they began strongly, with Mack Hansen excelling most prominently during a comprehensive victory that represented Ireland's finest performance this year.

In his debut international start at full-back, Hansen scored a three tries, contested excellently for aerial challenges and performed exceptionally against the nation of his origin.

"Look, I've had a pretty difficult period with fitness issues really," Hansen stated.

"I longed for being in this squad, I know there's considerable discussion about me not exactly being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this group and this seems like family.

"Whenever I have to represent for Ireland it's a honor, if you don't put in a performance you might not receive that opportunity again.

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

Coach declared: 'Excellent players don't need excuses'

Following 28 appearances on the flank, the player was entrusted the number 15 role for the initial time with multiple teammates injured.

For him, it was essentially a matter of picking up where he finished during the summer.

The experienced player had been in excellent condition before physical issues ended his dream of making the Test team.

After returned recently, he suffered a lower body problem that ruled him out for previous fixtures.

Farrell had indicated that Hansen was particularly motivated and these turned out to be not empty statements as the former provincial player gave his coach a welcome selection dilemma for upcoming matches.

"So my first reaction were, 'You better play excellently in those different coloured boots!'," said Farrell, alluding to the player's decision to sport different footwear.

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

"I said to him before the match, 'Good athletes require no justifications, they can perform and just be themselves, you can win the player of the game if you want,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that type of performer, he trains thoroughly, he's got a excellent attitude to understand his preparation and thus that's why he slotted right into the team and he was capable to perform naturally due to that."

Hansen's efforts also earned commendation from the opposing manager, who stated he was the "standout opposition performer" on the night.

"I thought he was outstanding, his experience showed to the fore," commented the former national coach.

"Unfortunately, Mack was probably the best Australian performer on the pitch. He's has a excellent skillset and he's such a strong contender."

When asked about what makes the player a strong option at the number 15 position, the coach added: "Appearing in the center of the pitch is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing regardless, but I suppose he's better in position for that more often.

"The player's high ball work was excellent, wasn't it? I believed we didn't get bored of doing the correct thing and that was placing the possession again on them to gain territory.

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

Beyond Hansen, there were multiple encouraging aspects for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his return to the number 10 position, the set piece and line-out operated smoothly and another teammate did not look out of place in his first start in the front row.

But possibly most satisfying for Farrell was the team bookending the game with two impressive periods.

Hansen's first two tries came in the first 11 moments while other teammates registered in the closing exchanges after the opposition had scored, ensuring the home side concluded on a high.

"I thought we truly let ourselves go and attacked the game straight from the word go," said the coach.

"The way we handled numerous elements throughout the game, particularly them coming back just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and giving a display like we did in the second half, I believed as far as field position and being familiar with most of our game in that later period was truly satisfying."

The strength of South Africa are next up for the team, in what could be considered as an unofficial conclusion to the previous season's drawn multiple match contest on rival soil.

Farrell's side will require to attain a higher level to defeat the consecutive world champions, but Saturday's defeat of the Wallabies was a important advancement in the right direction after an disappointing beginning to their fall campaign.