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

Ireland listened right away.

Ireland had struggled late against the All Blacks and taken most of the match to find their rhythm versus Japan.

Nevertheless, facing Australia, they began strongly, with Mack Hansen excelling most prominently during a 46-19 victory that marked Ireland's finest display of the season.

Making his debut test match appearance at the number 15 position, the player registered a three tries, competed brilliantly for aerial challenges and performed exceptionally against the nation of his birth.

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

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

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

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

Manager stated: 'Excellent players don't need justifications'

Following 28 caps on the flank, Hansen was entrusted the full-back role for the first time with multiple players injured.

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

The experienced player had been in superb condition before physical issues disrupted his aspiration of making the international squad.

Having returned recently, he developed a foot injury that made him unavailable for earlier matches.

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

"So my first reaction were, 'You better perform excellently in those different colored boots!'," said Farrell, referring to Hansen's decision to wear mismatched footwear.

"Actually I thought that was fitting but apparently Hansen just did that personally anyway. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the game, 'Good players don't need justifications, they can perform and just be themselves, you can win the man of the match if you want,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"So he's that type of player, he trains thoroughly, he's got a excellent attitude to get across his preparation and thus that's why he slotted right back in and he was capable to be himself due to that."

Hansen's performance also received commendation from the rival manager, who stated he was the "standout opposition player" on the night.

"I thought he was super, his knowledge was evident to the fore," commented the ex- national manager.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was probably the best Australian player on the pitch. He's got a great ability and he's such a good contender."

Pressed about what makes the player a good option at full-back, the coach continued: "Appearing in the center of the pitch is something that he demonstrates from the flank anyway, but I imagine he's better in position for that frequently.

"The player's high ball work was brilliant, don't you think? I believed we didn't get bored of doing the correct thing and that was putting the possession back on them to secure territory.

"The reason that was the correct thing to do is since it's the likes of Hansen who was securing the balls returned, and additional teammates, so [it's] quite pleasing."

Outside the star performer, there were multiple positives for the coach.

Another player was excellent on his comeback to the number 10 position, the set piece and throw-in functioned smoothly and another teammate did not look uncomfortable in his first appearance in the forwards.

But perhaps more pleasing for the manager was the team framing the game with two impressive periods.

The player's first two tries occurred in the first 11 moments while additional teammates scored in the final exchanges after the opposition had crossed, ensuring the Irish side finished on a positive note.

"In my opinion we really performed freely and approached the match right from the beginning," stated Farrell.

"The way we managed numerous elements during the match, particularly them responding just before the break and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we did in the second half, I believed as far as territory and being across the majority of our strategy in that second half was really pleasing."

The might of the Springboks are awaiting for Ireland, in what might be considered as an informal decider to the previous season's drawn multiple match series on opposition territory.

Farrell's side will need to reach a higher standard to defeat the consecutive title holders, but Saturday's defeat of the Wallabies was a important advancement in the correct path after an uninspiring beginning to their autumn campaign.