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Following their previous disappointing performance against Japan, the head coach challenged his Irish team to improve their game.

Ireland responded immediately.

The Irish side had faded late against New Zealand and taken considerable time to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, facing Australia, they started powerfully, with Mack Hansen excelling most prominently during a comprehensive victory that marked Ireland's finest display of the season.

Making his first international appearance at the number 15 position, Hansen registered a hat-trick, competed excellently for high balls and played outstandingly against the country of his birth.

"You know, I've had a pretty challenging period with fitness issues really," Hansen commented.

"I longed for being in this team, I know there's much discussion about me not exactly being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this team and this seems like home.

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

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

Coach stated: 'Excellent players require no excuses'

After 28 caps on the flank, Hansen was given the full-back position for the initial time with multiple players injured.

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

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

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

The coach had indicated that Hansen was particularly determined and these proved not hollow statements as the ex- provincial player gave his coach a positive selection dilemma for future matches.

"So my first thoughts were, 'You need to play excellently in those two colored shoes!'," commented the coach, referring to the player's choice to sport different boots.

"In fact I believed that was appropriate but it seems Hansen just did that himself anyway. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even started.

"I said to him before the match, 'Excellent players require no excuses, they can perform and just be themselves, you can win the man of the match if you choose,' and he went, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that type of performer, he prepares thoroughly, he's has a great 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."

The player's performance also received commendation from the rival manager, who remarked he was the "standout Australian player" on the night.

"In my view he was super, his knowledge was evident to the front," said the ex- international manager.

"Regrettably, Mack was probably the standout opposition performer on the field. He's has a great ability and he's such a strong contender."

Pressed about what makes Hansen a good option at full-back, Farrell continued: "Showing up in the center of the field is something that he does from the flank anyway, but I imagine he's better in position for that more often.

"His aerial play was excellent, don't you think? I believed we didn't get bored of executing the right thing and that was placing the ball back on them to secure field position.

"The reason that was the correct thing to do is because it's the likes of Mackie who was securing the possessions back, and additional teammates, so [it's] quite satisfying."

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

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his return to the fly-half jersey, the set piece and throw-in functioned smoothly and another teammate did not appear uncomfortable in his debut appearance in the forwards.

But perhaps most pleasing for the manager was Ireland framing the game with multiple impressive spells.

The player's initial two scores occurred in the opening eleven moments while other teammates registered in the closing stages after the opposition had crossed, ensuring the Irish team concluded on a high.

"In my opinion we truly let ourselves go and attacked the game straight from the word go," said the coach.

"The way we managed various aspects during the match, especially the opposition responding just before half-time and regathering ourselves and giving a display like we did in the later stages, I thought as far as territory and being across most of our game in that second half was truly pleasing."

The might of the Springboks are awaiting for Ireland, in what might be considered as an unofficial conclusion to last year's tied two-Test contest on opposition soil.

The coach's team will need to reach another level to defeat the back-to-back title holders, but the recent victory of the Wallabies was a important step in the right path after an uninspiring beginning to their autumn campaign.