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After their previous underwhelming performance against Japan, the head coach told his Irish squad to step up their performance.

The team responded right away.

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

Nevertheless, facing the Wallabies, they began powerfully, with Mack Hansen excelling brightest during a comprehensive victory that represented Ireland's best performance this year.

In his debut international start at the number 15 position, Hansen scored a three tries, contested brilliantly for aerial challenges and performed outstandingly against the country of his origin.

"Look, I've had a pretty difficult run with injuries really," Hansen stated.

"I missed being in this team, I understand there's much talk about me not exactly being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this team and this feels like family.

"Any time I have to represent for the national team it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a performance you might not receive that opportunity again.

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

Coach declared: 'Excellent athletes don't need excuses'

After 28 caps on the wing, Hansen was entrusted the full-back position for the first time with multiple teammates injured.

For him, it was essentially a case of picking up where he finished during the summer.

The experienced player had been in excellent form before physical issues ended his dream of joining the international team.

Having returned last month, he suffered a lower body injury that ruled him out for previous fixtures.

Farrell had indicated that Hansen was especially motivated and these turned out to be not hollow words as the former club player gave his coach a welcome selection dilemma for future games.

"Well my initial thoughts were, 'You better perform well in those two colored boots!'," said Farrell, alluding to Hansen's choice to wear mismatched footwear.

"In fact I believed that was appropriate but it seems Hansen just made that personally regardless. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the game, 'Excellent athletes don't need excuses, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can get the player of the game if you choose,' and he went, 'Yes, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that type of performer, he trains well, he's got a great attitude to understand his preparation and thus that's why he slotted right back in and he was capable to be himself due to that."

Hansen's efforts also received commendation from the opposing manager, who stated he was the "exceptional Australian player" on the night.

"I thought he was outstanding, his experience was evident to the front," said the ex- international coach.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was likely the standout opposition performer on the pitch. He's has a excellent ability and he's such a strong competitor."

Pressed about what makes Hansen a good fit at full-back, Farrell continued: "Appearing in the middle of the field is something that he demonstrates from the wing anyway, but I suppose he's more in position for that frequently.

"The player's high ball work was brilliant, don't you think? I thought we persisted of executing the right thing and that was putting the possession back on them to gain field position.

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

Outside Hansen, there were numerous encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Another player was excellent on his return to the fly-half jersey, the scrum and throw-in functioned smoothly and different player did not appear uncomfortable in his debut appearance in the front row.

But possibly most pleasing for the manager was the team bookending the match with two impressive periods.

The player's initial two scores occurred in the first eleven minutes while additional players registered in the closing stages after the other team had scored, guaranteeing the home team finished on a high.

"In my opinion we really let ourselves go and approached the game straight from the word go," said Farrell.

"How we managed various elements throughout the game, particularly them responding just before the break and regathering ourselves and producing a display like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as territory and being familiar with most of our game in that second half was truly satisfying."

The might of South Africa are awaiting for Ireland, in what could be viewed as an unofficial decider to last year's tied two-Test contest on opposition territory.

Farrell's side will require to attain another standard to beat the consecutive title holders, but the recent victory of the Wallabies was a important advancement in the correct direction after an uninspiring beginning to their autumn schedule.