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Following last week's underwhelming showing against the Japanese team, the head coach told his Irish team to improve their performance.

The team listened right away.

The Irish side had faded late against the All Blacks and required considerable time to find their rhythm versus Japan.

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

In his debut test match start at full-back, the player registered a hat-trick, competed excellently for high balls and performed outstandingly against the nation of his birth.

"You know, I've had a pretty challenging period with injuries honestly," the athlete stated.

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

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

"My whole focus this week was to go out and perform what I can do."

Manager stated: 'Good athletes don't need excuses'

Following 28 appearances on the wing, the player was given the number 15 role for the first time with multiple players unavailable.

In his case, it was essentially a matter of picking up where he finished during the warmer months.

The experienced player had been in excellent form before physical issues ended his aspiration of joining the Test squad.

Having returned recently, he developed a lower body problem that ruled him out for earlier fixtures.

The coach had suggested that the player was particularly motivated and these turned out to be not empty words as the former provincial player gave his manager a welcome team dilemma for upcoming games.

"So my initial thoughts were, 'You better play excellently in those different coloured boots!'," commented the coach, referring to Hansen's choice to wear different footwear.

"Actually I believed that was appropriate but apparently Mack just did that personally anyway. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I said to him before the match, 'Good players require no justifications, they can perform and just be themselves, you can win the player of the game if you want,' and he responded, 'Yes, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that type of player, he trains thoroughly, he's has a great approach to understand his preparation and thus that's why he fitted straight back in and he was able to perform naturally due to that."

Hansen's performance also received commendation from the rival coach, who remarked he was the "exceptional Australian performer" on the night.

"I thought he was super, his experience showed to the fore," commented the ex- international manager.

"Unfortunately, Mack was likely the standout opposition player on the field. He's has a great ability and he's such a strong competitor."

When asked about what makes Hansen a good fit at the number 15 position, Farrell continued: "Appearing in the middle of the pitch is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing anyway, but I suppose he's more in position for that more often.

"The player's high ball work was brilliant, don't you think? I thought we didn't get bored of doing the right approach and that was placing the ball back on them to secure field position.

"Why that was the right thing to do is because it's the players of Mackie who was securing the balls back, and other teammates, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

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

Another player was excellent on his comeback to the fly-half position, the scrum and line-out operated effectively and another player did not look uncomfortable in his first appearance in the front row.

But possibly more satisfying for the manager was the team framing the game with two impressive spells.

Hansen's first couple of tries occurred in the opening 11 moments while other players scored in the closing exchanges after the other team had scored, ensuring the home side concluded on a positive note.

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

"The way we handled numerous elements throughout the game, particularly the opposition responding just before the break and regathering ourselves and giving a display like we achieved in the second half, I believed as far as field position and being across most of our game in that second half was really satisfying."

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

Farrell's team will require to reach a higher standard to beat the consecutive title holders, but Saturday's victory of the Australian team was a significant step in the right direction after an uninspiring beginning to their autumn schedule.