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After last week's underwhelming performance against Japan, the head coach challenged his Ireland squad to improve their performance.

The team listened immediately.

Ireland had faded late against New Zealand and required most of the match to get going versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, facing the Wallabies, they started strongly, with Mack Hansen shining most prominently during a 46-19 triumph that represented Ireland's best performance this year.

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

"You know, I've had a pretty challenging period with fitness issues honestly," 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 group and this seems like family.

"Whenever I have to play for Ireland it's a privilege, if you don't put in a good showing you may not get that privilege again.

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

Coach stated: 'Excellent athletes don't need justifications'

After twenty-eight caps on the wing, Hansen was given the full-back role for the first time with several players unavailable.

In his case, it was simply a case of continuing where he finished during the warmer months.

The experienced player had been in excellent form before injury disrupted his aspiration of joining the Test squad.

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

The coach had suggested that Hansen was particularly motivated and these proved not empty statements as the former club player gave his manager a welcome team dilemma for future matches.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You better play excellently in those different colored boots!'," commented the coach, alluding to the player's decision to sport mismatched footwear.

"Actually I thought that was appropriate but apparently Hansen just did that himself regardless. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the game, 'Excellent players require no justifications, they can perform and just play naturally, you can get the man of the match if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"So he's that kind of performer, he prepares thoroughly, he's got a great attitude to get across his detail and thus that's why he slotted straight into the team and he was capable to be himself because of that."

The player's efforts also received commendation from the opposing manager, who remarked he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the night.

"I thought he was outstanding, his knowledge showed to the fore," said the former national coach.

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

When asked about what enables the player a strong option at the number 15 position, Farrell continued: "Showing up in the middle of the pitch is something that he does from the wing anyway, but I suppose he's better in position for that more often.

"The player's high ball play was excellent, wasn't it? I believed we persisted of executing the right thing and that was putting the ball again on them to secure territory.

"Why that was the correct thing to do is since it's the likes of Hansen who was getting the possessions back, and additional players, so [it's] quite pleasing."

Beyond the star performer, there were numerous positives for Farrell.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his return to the fly-half position, the set piece and throw-in functioned effectively and another teammate did not look uncomfortable in his first appearance in the forwards.

But perhaps most satisfying for the manager was the team bookending the game with two strong spells.

Hansen's first two scores occurred in the first eleven minutes while additional players scored in the closing stages after the opposition had scored, ensuring the Irish side finished on a high.

"I thought we truly performed freely and attacked the match straight from the word go," said the coach.

"The way we handled numerous aspects throughout the match, especially the opposition coming back just before the break and regathering ourselves and producing a display like we did in the later stages, I believed as far as territory and being across the majority of our game in that later period was truly pleasing."

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

Farrell's side will need to reach a higher standard to defeat the back-to-back world champions, but the recent defeat of the Australian team was a important step in the correct path after an disappointing beginning to their autumn campaign.