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After their previous underwhelming performance against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell challenged his Irish team to improve their game.

Ireland listened right away.

Ireland had faded late against New Zealand and required most of the match to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

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

Making his debut test match appearance at the number 15 position, the player scored a hat-trick, contested excellently for aerial challenges and played exceptionally against the nation of his birth.

"You know, I've had a fairly challenging run with injuries honestly," Hansen commented.

"I missed being in this team, I understand there's much talk about me not exactly being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this team and this seems like home.

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

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

Manager declared: 'Good players require no justifications'

After twenty-eight caps on the flank, the player was entrusted the full-back position for the first time with several players unavailable.

For him, it was essentially a case of continuing where he finished during the warmer months.

The 28-year-old had been in excellent form before physical issues ended his dream of making the international squad.

After come back last month, he developed a lower body injury that ruled him out for earlier matches.

Farrell had indicated that the player was particularly determined and these proved not hollow words as the ex- club player gave his manager a positive team dilemma for future games.

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

"Actually I believed that was appropriate but it seems Hansen just did that personally regardless. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes require no excuses, they can perform and just be themselves, you can get the man of the match if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yes, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that kind of performer, he prepares thoroughly, he's got a excellent approach to understand his preparation and so that's why he slotted straight back in and he was capable to perform naturally because of that."

The player's efforts also received commendation from the opposing coach, who remarked he was the "standout opposition performer" on the evening.

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

"Unfortunately, Hansen was probably the standout Australian player on the pitch. He's has a great skillset and he's such a good competitor."

Pressed about what enables the player a good fit at the number 15 position, Farrell continued: "Showing up in the center of the field is something that he demonstrates from the wing anyway, but I suppose he's better in position for that more often.

"The player's aerial work was excellent, wasn't it? I thought we persisted of executing the correct approach and that was placing the ball again on them to gain territory.

"The reason that was the right thing to do is because it's the likes of Mackie who was securing the balls returned, and other teammates, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

Beyond the star performer, there were multiple encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his comeback to the number 10 jersey, the scrum and throw-in functioned smoothly and another teammate did not appear out of place in his debut appearance in the front row.

But possibly most satisfying for Farrell was Ireland framing the match with two impressive periods.

Hansen's initial couple of scores came in the first 11 moments while additional players scored in the final stages after the other team had scored, ensuring the home side finished on a positive note.

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

"How we managed numerous aspects during the match, especially them responding just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and producing a performance like we did in the second half, I thought as far as territory and being familiar with the majority of our strategy in that later period was really satisfying."

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

The coach's team will need to reach a higher level to beat the consecutive world champions, but the recent victory of the Wallabies was a important advancement in the correct path after an disappointing beginning to their fall schedule.