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After their previous underwhelming showing against Japan, the head coach challenged his Irish team to improve their performance.

Ireland listened right away.

Ireland had struggled in the final stages against New Zealand and required considerable time to get going versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, facing Australia, they started strongly, with Mack Hansen shining brightest during a comprehensive triumph that marked the team's best display this year.

In his first international appearance at the number 15 position, Hansen scored a three tries, contested excellently for aerial challenges and played exceptionally against the country of his origin.

"You know, I've experienced a fairly difficult period with fitness issues really," the athlete stated.

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

"Whenever I have to represent for Ireland it's a privilege, if you fail to deliver a good showing you may not get that privilege again.

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

Coach stated: 'Good players don't need excuses'

Following twenty-eight appearances on the flank, the player was entrusted the full-back role for the initial time with multiple teammates injured.

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

The 28-year-old had been in superb form before physical issues disrupted his aspiration of making the Test team.

After come back last month, he developed a lower body injury that made him unavailable for previous matches.

The coach had indicated that the player was particularly determined and these turned out to be not hollow words as the former club player gave his coach a positive team headache for upcoming matches.

"So my initial thoughts were, 'You need to play excellently in those different colored shoes!'," commented the coach, alluding to Hansen's choice to wear different footwear.

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

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

"Therefore he's that type of performer, he prepares well, he's got a great attitude to get across his detail and thus that's why he slotted right into the team and he was able to be himself due to that."

Hansen's performance also earned praise from the rival coach, who remarked he was the "standout Australian player" on the evening.

"I thought he was outstanding, his experience showed to the front," said the former national manager.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was probably the standout Australian performer on the field. He's has a great skillset and he's such a strong contender."

Pressed about what enables the player a good fit at full-back, the coach added: "Appearing in the center of the field is a trait that he demonstrates from the flank anyway, but I suppose he's better in position for that frequently.

"The player's aerial play was excellent, wasn't it? I believed we didn't get bored of executing the right approach and that was placing the ball again on them to secure field position.

"Why that was the correct thing to do is since it's the players of Hansen who was securing the balls returned, and additional players, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Outside Hansen, there were numerous encouraging aspects for the coach.

Another player was outstanding on his return to the fly-half position, the scrum and line-out operated effectively and different teammate did not look uncomfortable in his first appearance in the forwards.

But perhaps more satisfying for Farrell was Ireland bookending the game with two impressive periods.

Hansen's initial two tries occurred in the opening eleven minutes while other teammates registered in the final exchanges after the other team had scored, ensuring the home side finished on a positive note.

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

"How we managed numerous aspects during the game, particularly them responding just before the break and regathering ourselves and giving a performance like we achieved in the later stages, I believed as far as field position and being familiar with most of our strategy in that later period was truly pleasing."

The might of South Africa are awaiting for the team, in what could be viewed as an unofficial decider to last year's tied multiple match contest on rival territory.

Farrell's team will require to attain another standard to beat the consecutive world champions, but Saturday's victory of the Australian team was a significant advancement in the right path after an disappointing beginning to their autumn schedule.