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

The team responded immediately.

Ireland had faded late against New Zealand and required most of the match to get going versus Japan.

However, against the Wallabies, they started powerfully, with Mack Hansen excelling most prominently during a comprehensive victory that represented Ireland's best display this year.

In his debut international appearance at full-back, Hansen registered a hat-trick, contested excellently for aerial challenges and played outstandingly against the nation of his origin.

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

"I longed for being in this team, I know there's considerable talk about me not exactly being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this team and this feels like home.

"Any time I get to represent for the national team it's a honor, if you don't put in a good showing you may not get that opportunity again.

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

Manager declared: 'Good athletes don't need justifications'

After 28 appearances on the flank, Hansen was given the number 15 role for the initial time with several players injured.

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

The experienced player had been in superb form before physical issues disrupted his aspiration of joining the international team.

Having come back recently, he suffered a foot injury that made him unavailable for previous fixtures.

Farrell had suggested that the player was especially determined and these proved not empty words as the ex- provincial player gave his coach a welcome team dilemma for future games.

"Well my initial reaction were, 'You better perform excellently in those different colored boots!'," said Farrell, referring to the player's decision to sport mismatched boots.

"In fact I believed that was fitting but apparently Mack just did that personally anyway. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I said to him before the match, 'Good players don't need excuses, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can win the player of the game if you want,' and he responded, 'Yes, I agree.'

"So he's that kind of player, he trains well, he's got a great attitude to get across his preparation and so that's why he fitted right into the team and he was capable to be himself because of that."

The player's performance also earned commendation from the opposing coach, who remarked he was the "standout Australian performer" on the evening.

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

"Regrettably, Hansen was likely the standout opposition player on the pitch. He's got a great ability and he's such a good contender."

When asked about what makes Hansen a good option at the number 15 position, the coach added: "Showing up in the center of the field is a trait that he demonstrates from the flank regardless, but I suppose he's more in place for that more often.

"The player's aerial play was excellent, don't you think? I thought we persisted of doing the right thing and that was placing the ball back on them to gain territory.

"The reason that was the correct strategy to do is since it's the players of Hansen who was getting the possessions returned, and other teammates, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Outside the star performer, there were multiple positives for the coach.

Another player was outstanding on his return to the fly-half jersey, the set piece and line-out operated smoothly and another player did not appear out of place in his debut start in the forwards.

But perhaps most satisfying for the manager was the team bookending the game with multiple impressive spells.

Hansen's first two tries came in the first eleven moments while other teammates registered in the closing stages after the other team had scored, ensuring the Irish side finished on a positive note.

"I thought we truly performed freely and attacked the game right from the beginning," said Farrell.

"How we handled numerous aspects throughout the game, particularly them coming back just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and giving a performance like we did in the second half, I believed as far as territory and being across the majority of our game in that later period was really satisfying."

The might of South Africa are awaiting for Ireland, in what could be considered as an informal decider to last year's tied two-Test series on rival territory.

The coach's team will need to reach a higher standard to beat the consecutive world champions, but the recent victory of the Australian team was a important advancement in the right direction after an disappointing start to their autumn campaign.