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

The team responded right away.

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

However, facing Australia, they began strongly, with Mack Hansen shining brightest during a 46-19 victory that marked the team's finest performance this year.

Making his debut international start at full-back, the player scored a three tries, contested brilliantly for aerial challenges and performed outstandingly against the country of his birth.

"Look, I've experienced a pretty challenging run with injuries honestly," Hansen stated.

"I missed being in this squad, I understand there's much discussion about me not necessarily being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this team and this seems like family.

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

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

Coach stated: 'Excellent athletes require no justifications'

Following 28 caps on the flank, the player was given the full-back role for the initial time with multiple teammates injured.

In his case, it was essentially a case of continuing where he finished during the summer.

The 28-year-old had been in excellent form before physical issues disrupted his dream of joining the Test team.

Having come back recently, he suffered a lower body problem that ruled him out for previous fixtures.

The coach had suggested that the player was particularly determined and these turned out to be not hollow statements as the ex- club player gave his manager a welcome team dilemma for future games.

"Well my initial reaction were, 'You better perform well in those different colored boots!'," commented Farrell, alluding to Hansen's decision to wear mismatched footwear.

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

"I said to him before the game, 'Good players require no excuses, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can win the man of the match if you want,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"So he's that type of player, he trains thoroughly, he's got a excellent attitude to understand his preparation and so that's why he slotted straight into the team and he was capable to perform naturally because of that."

The player's efforts also earned praise from the rival manager, who stated he was the "exceptional Australian player" on the evening.

"In my view he was super, his knowledge was evident to the fore," said the former international manager.

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

When asked about what enables Hansen a good fit at the number 15 position, Farrell added: "Showing up in the center of the field is a trait that he does from the wing anyway, but I suppose he's better in place for that frequently.

"His aerial play was brilliant, don't you think? I thought we persisted of doing the right approach and that was putting the possession back on them to secure territory.

"Why that was the right thing to do is because it's the players of Hansen who was getting the possessions returned, and other players, so [it's] quite pleasing."

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

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

But possibly most pleasing for the manager was the team framing the game with multiple impressive periods.

Hansen's initial two tries came in the first eleven minutes while other players registered in the closing exchanges after the opposition had scored, ensuring the home team concluded on a high.

"In my opinion we truly let ourselves go and approached the match straight from the beginning," said Farrell.

"How we handled various 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 familiar with the majority of our game in that second half was really pleasing."

The might of South Africa are awaiting for Ireland, in what could be viewed as an unofficial conclusion to the previous season's drawn multiple match contest on opposition territory.

The coach's team will need to attain a higher standard to beat the consecutive title holders, but Saturday's victory of the Australian team was a important advancement in the correct direction after an disappointing start to their autumn schedule.