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After last week's disappointing performance against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell challenged his Irish squad to step up their performance.

The team listened right away.

The Irish side had faded in the final stages against New Zealand and required considerable time to get going versus Japan.

Nevertheless, facing Australia, they began strongly, with Mack Hansen shining most prominently during a 46-19 triumph that represented Ireland's best display this year.

In his debut test match appearance at full-back, Hansen scored a three tries, competed excellently for high balls and played exceptionally against the country of his birth.

"Look, I've experienced a pretty difficult period with injuries really," Hansen commented.

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

"Any time I have to play for Ireland it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a good showing you may not get that opportunity again.

"My whole approach this period was to take the field and do what I can do."

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

After 28 caps on the flank, Hansen was given the full-back position for the first time with several players unavailable.

In his case, it was simply a case of picking up where he finished during the summer.

The experienced player had been in superb form before injury disrupted his dream of joining the Test team.

Having returned recently, he suffered a lower body injury that made him unavailable for previous fixtures.

The coach had indicated that Hansen was especially motivated and these proved not empty words as the ex- club player gave his coach a welcome team dilemma for future matches.

"So my initial reaction were, 'You need to perform excellently in those two coloured shoes!'," commented Farrell, alluding to Hansen's decision to wear different footwear.

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

"I told to him before the match, 'Good players require no justifications, they can perform and just play naturally, you can win the player of the game if you want,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"So he's that kind of performer, he trains thoroughly, he's has a great approach to get across his preparation and so that's why he fitted right back in and he was capable to perform naturally because of that."

The player's performance also received praise from the opposing manager, who stated he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the night.

"I thought he was outstanding, his experience was evident to the fore," commented the former international coach.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was likely the best Australian player on the field. He's has a great skillset and he's such a strong contender."

When asked about what enables Hansen a good option at full-back, the coach added: "Showing up in the middle of the field is a trait that he demonstrates from the flank anyway, but I imagine he's more in position for that more often.

"His aerial play was excellent, wasn't it? I thought 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 players of Hansen who was getting the possessions back, and additional teammates, so [it's] quite pleasing."

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

Another player was excellent on his return to the number 10 position, the scrum and line-out functioned effectively and different teammate did not look out of place in his debut appearance in the forwards.

But perhaps more satisfying for Farrell was Ireland bookending the match with two impressive periods.

Hansen's initial two scores came in the first eleven minutes while other players registered in the closing exchanges after the opposition had crossed, guaranteeing the home team concluded on a positive note.

"In my opinion we truly performed freely and attacked the game right from the word go," stated Farrell.

"How we managed numerous elements during the game, particularly them coming back just before half-time and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we did in the later stages, I believed as far as territory and being across the majority of our strategy in that later period was really satisfying."

The strength of the Springboks are next up for Ireland, in what could be viewed as an unofficial conclusion to the previous season's tied two-Test series on rival soil.

The coach's side will require to attain another level to defeat the back-to-back title holders, but the recent victory of the Australian team was a important step in the right path after an disappointing beginning to their autumn schedule.