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

Ireland listened immediately.

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

Nevertheless, facing the Wallabies, they started powerfully, with Mack Hansen excelling most prominently during a 46-19 victory that represented Ireland's best performance of the season.

In his debut international start at the number 15 position, Hansen scored a hat-trick, competed brilliantly for aerial challenges and performed outstandingly against the country of his birth.

"You know, I've experienced a fairly challenging period with fitness issues honestly," the athlete commented.

"I missed being in this squad, I understand there's much discussion about me not necessarily being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this group and this seems like home.

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

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

Coach declared: 'Excellent players require no justifications'

After 28 caps on the wing, the player was given the full-back position for the initial time with several players unavailable.

In his case, it was simply a case of continuing where he left off during the warmer months.

The experienced player had been in superb form before injury disrupted his aspiration of making the international team.

After come back recently, he developed a lower body problem that made him unavailable for previous fixtures.

Farrell had indicated that Hansen was particularly determined and these proved not empty words as the former provincial player gave his manager a positive team dilemma for upcoming games.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You need to perform well in those two coloured boots!'," commented Farrell, alluding to Hansen's decision to sport mismatched footwear.

"In fact I believed that was fitting but it seems Mack just made that personally regardless. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I said to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes don't need excuses, they can perform and just be themselves, you can get the player of the game if you want,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"So he's that kind of player, he trains thoroughly, he's got a excellent approach to understand his detail and thus that's why he fitted right back in and he was capable to be himself due to that."

Hansen's efforts also received commendation from the rival manager, who stated he was the "standout Australian performer" on the night.

"In my view he was outstanding, his knowledge showed to the fore," said the ex- international manager.

"Unfortunately, Mack was likely the standout opposition performer on the field. He's got a excellent ability and he's such a good contender."

Pressed about what enables the player a strong fit at the number 15 position, Farrell continued: "Showing up in the center of the pitch is a trait that he does from the wing anyway, but I suppose he's more in place for that more often.

"The player's high ball work was brilliant, wasn't it? I believed we persisted of executing the right thing and that was putting the ball back on them to secure field position.

"The reason that was the right thing to do is since it's the players of Hansen who was getting the possessions back, and other teammates, so [it's] quite satisfying."

Beyond Hansen, there were numerous encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Another player was excellent on his return to the number 10 position, the set piece and line-out functioned smoothly and different player did not look uncomfortable in his debut start in the forwards.

But perhaps most satisfying for the manager was Ireland bookending the match with multiple strong spells.

The player's first couple of scores came in the first eleven minutes while other players registered in the closing exchanges after the other team had crossed, guaranteeing the Irish side concluded on a positive note.

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

"How we managed various aspects throughout the game, particularly the opposition coming back just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and producing a display like we achieved in the later stages, I believed as far as field position and being across the majority of our strategy in that later period was really satisfying."

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

The coach's side will need to reach a higher level to defeat the back-to-back world champions, but Saturday's defeat of the Wallabies was a important step in the correct direction after an disappointing start to their autumn campaign.