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Following their previous disappointing performance against Japan, Andy Farrell challenged his Ireland team to improve their performance.

The team listened right away.

Ireland had struggled late against the All Blacks and taken considerable time to get going versus their Asian opponents.

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

In his first international appearance at full-back, the player scored a three tries, competed excellently for high balls and played outstandingly against the nation of his origin.

"Look, I've had a fairly challenging run with fitness issues honestly," Hansen commented.

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

"Whenever I have to represent for Ireland it's a privilege, if you fail to deliver a performance you may not receive that opportunity again.

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

Coach declared: 'Good athletes require no justifications'

After 28 caps on the wing, Hansen was given the number 15 role for the first time with multiple teammates unavailable.

For him, it was simply a case of picking up where he left off during the summer.

The experienced player had been in excellent condition before physical issues ended his dream of making the Test squad.

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

The coach had indicated that Hansen was especially determined and these turned out to be not empty statements as the ex- provincial player gave his manager a welcome selection headache for future games.

"Well my initial thoughts were, 'You better perform well in those two coloured shoes!'," commented the coach, alluding to the player's decision to sport mismatched boots.

"In fact I thought that was fitting but apparently Hansen just did that personally regardless. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I said to him before the match, 'Good athletes don't need justifications, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can win the player of the game if you want,' and he went, 'Yes, I concur.'

"So he's that kind of performer, he prepares well, he's has a excellent approach to get across his preparation and thus that's why he fitted straight into the team and he was able to be himself due to that."

The player's efforts also earned commendation from the rival manager, who remarked he was the "standout opposition player" on the night.

"In my view he was outstanding, his experience was evident to the front," commented the ex- national coach.

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

When asked about what enables the player a good fit at the number 15 position, Farrell added: "Showing up in the center of the pitch is something that he demonstrates from the wing anyway, but I imagine he's better in position for that frequently.

"His high ball play was brilliant, don't you think? I believed we didn't get bored of doing the right approach and that was placing the ball again on them to gain territory.

"The reason that was the correct thing to do is because it's the likes of Mackie who was getting the balls back, and other players, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

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

Another player was excellent on his return to the number 10 position, the set piece and line-out functioned effectively and another player did not look uncomfortable in his debut start in the front row.

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

Hansen's first two scores came in the first eleven minutes while other players scored in the closing exchanges after the other team had crossed, ensuring the Irish side concluded on a high.

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

"The way we handled numerous aspects throughout the match, especially the opposition responding just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and giving a display like we did in the second half, I believed as far as field position and being across the majority of our game in that later period was really satisfying."

The might of the Springboks are awaiting for Ireland, in what might be viewed as an informal decider to the previous season's drawn two-Test contest on rival soil.

Farrell's team will need to reach a higher level to defeat the consecutive title holders, but Saturday's victory of the Australian team was a significant advancement in the correct direction after an uninspiring beginning to their fall schedule.