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After their previous underwhelming showing against the Japanese team, the head coach challenged his Irish squad to step up their performance.

Ireland responded right away.

Ireland had struggled in the final stages against New Zealand and required most of the match to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, against Australia, they started powerfully, with Mack Hansen excelling brightest during a 46-19 victory that marked Ireland's finest performance of the season.

In his debut international appearance at the number 15 position, the player registered a hat-trick, contested excellently for high balls and played exceptionally against the country of his birth.

"You know, I've experienced a pretty challenging run with injuries 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 adore this team and this feels like family.

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

"My whole focus this week was to take the field and do what I can do."

Coach declared: 'Good players require no justifications'

Following 28 caps on the wing, Hansen was given the full-back position for the first time with several players unavailable.

For him, it was essentially a matter of picking up where he left off during the warmer months.

The experienced player had been in excellent condition before physical issues disrupted his aspiration of joining the international team.

Having returned last month, he suffered a foot problem that ruled him out for earlier matches.

The coach had indicated that the player was especially motivated and these proved not hollow words as the former provincial player gave his manager a positive selection dilemma for upcoming games.

"So my initial reaction were, 'You better play excellently in those two colored boots!'," commented Farrell, alluding to Hansen's decision to sport mismatched footwear.

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

"I said to him before the game, 'Excellent players require no justifications, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can win the player of the game if you choose,' and he went, 'Yes, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that type of performer, he prepares well, he's has a excellent attitude to understand his preparation and so that's why he slotted right into the team and he was capable to be himself due to that."

Hansen's efforts also earned commendation from the opposing coach, who stated he was the "exceptional opposition player" on the night.

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

"Unfortunately, Hansen was likely the standout Australian player on the pitch. He's got a great skillset and he's such a good contender."

When asked about what makes the player a strong option at the number 15 position, Farrell added: "Showing up in the center of the field is something that he demonstrates from the flank regardless, but I imagine he's more in place for that more often.

"The player's high ball work was excellent, don't you think? I thought we persisted of doing the right approach and that was placing the possession again on them to secure field position.

"The reason that was the correct strategy to do is since it's the players of Hansen who was getting the balls returned, and other teammates, so [it's] quite pleasing."

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

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his comeback to the number 10 jersey, the set piece and throw-in operated smoothly and another teammate did not appear out of place in his first start in the forwards.

But possibly more pleasing for Farrell was Ireland framing the match with multiple impressive spells.

The player's first two tries came in the first 11 moments while other players registered in the final stages after the other team had scored, guaranteeing the Irish side finished on a positive note.

"I thought we truly let ourselves go and attacked the match right from the word go," stated Farrell.

"How we managed numerous elements throughout the game, especially them coming back just before half-time and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we achieved in the later stages, I thought as far as field position and being across the majority of our strategy in that later period was truly pleasing."

The strength of the Springboks are next up for Ireland, in what might be viewed as an unofficial conclusion to last year's tied multiple match series on opposition soil.

Farrell's team will require to attain another standard to defeat the back-to-back world champions, but Saturday's defeat of the Wallabies was a important advancement in the correct path after an uninspiring start to their autumn schedule.