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After their previous underwhelming performance against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell challenged his Irish squad to improve their performance.

The team listened right away.

Ireland had faded in the final stages against the All Blacks and required considerable time to get going versus Japan.

Nevertheless, against Australia, they began strongly, with Mack Hansen shining brightest during a 46-19 victory that marked the team's best performance this year.

Making his debut international appearance at full-back, the player registered a three tries, competed brilliantly for aerial challenges and performed exceptionally against the country of his birth.

"Look, I've experienced a pretty challenging period with injuries really," Hansen stated.

"I longed for being in this squad, I understand there's much discussion about me not necessarily being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this group and this seems like family.

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

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

Manager stated: 'Good players require no excuses'

Following twenty-eight caps on the flank, the player was given the number 15 position for the first time with several players injured.

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

The 28-year-old had been in excellent form before physical issues ended his aspiration of making the Test squad.

Having returned recently, he developed a foot problem that ruled him out for previous fixtures.

Farrell had indicated that Hansen was especially determined and these turned out to be not empty statements as the former provincial player gave his coach a positive team dilemma for upcoming games.

"So my initial reaction were, 'You need to perform excellently in those different colored boots!'," said Farrell, referring to the player's choice to sport mismatched footwear.

"Actually I believed that was appropriate but it seems Mack just made that personally regardless. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even begun.

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

"So he's that type of performer, he prepares well, he's has a excellent approach to understand his detail and so that's why he slotted right back in and he was able to be himself due to that."

Hansen's performance also received praise from the rival manager, who stated he was the "standout Australian performer" on the night.

"I thought he was super, his experience showed to the front," said the ex- international manager.

"Regrettably, Hansen was probably the standout Australian performer on the pitch. He's got a excellent skillset and he's such a good competitor."

When asked about what enables Hansen a strong fit at full-back, Farrell continued: "Appearing in the middle of the pitch is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing anyway, but I suppose he's better in place for that more often.

"The player's aerial play was excellent, wasn't it? I believed we persisted of doing the right thing and that was putting the possession back on them to secure territory.

"Why that was the right thing to do is since it's the likes of Mackie who was getting the possessions back, and other players, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

Beyond Hansen, there were multiple positives for Farrell.

Another player was outstanding on his comeback to the fly-half position, the set piece and line-out functioned smoothly and different player did not appear uncomfortable in his first start in the forwards.

But possibly more satisfying for Farrell was the team bookending the game with multiple impressive periods.

The player's first couple of tries came in the first 11 minutes while other teammates scored in the closing stages after the other team had scored, guaranteeing the home team finished on a high.

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

"The way we managed various elements during the game, particularly the opposition coming back just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and giving a performance like we achieved in the later stages, I thought as far as field position and being familiar with the majority of our game in that later period was truly pleasing."

The might of the Springboks are awaiting for the team, in what might be considered as an unofficial conclusion to the previous season's tied two-Test series on opposition territory.

The coach's team will require to attain a higher level to beat the back-to-back title holders, but Saturday's victory of the Wallabies was a important advancement in the right path after an uninspiring start to their autumn campaign.