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After their previous disappointing showing against Japan, the head coach told his Irish squad to improve their game.

Ireland listened immediately.

Ireland had struggled late against the All Blacks and required most of the match to get going versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, facing Australia, they started strongly, with Mack Hansen excelling brightest during a comprehensive triumph that marked the team's finest performance of the season.

Making his first international appearance at the number 15 position, the player scored a three tries, contested excellently for aerial challenges and performed outstandingly against the nation of his origin.

"You know, I've had a pretty difficult run with fitness issues really," the athlete stated.

"I missed being in this team, I know there's considerable talk about me not necessarily being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this group and this seems like home.

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

"My entire approach this period was to take the field and perform what I could do."

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

Following 28 caps on the flank, the player was given the full-back position for the first time with multiple teammates injured.

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

The 28-year-old had been in excellent form before physical issues disrupted his dream of making the international squad.

After come back recently, he suffered a lower body injury that ruled him out for earlier fixtures.

Farrell had suggested that Hansen was especially determined and these proved not hollow words as the former provincial player gave his coach a positive selection headache for future games.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You need to play well in those two coloured boots!'," commented the coach, alluding to the player's decision to sport different boots.

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

"I told to him before the game, 'Good athletes require no excuses, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can get the man of the match if you want,' and he went, 'Yes, I agree.'

"So he's that kind of player, he prepares thoroughly, he's got a great attitude to understand his detail and thus that's why he fitted straight into the team and he was able to be himself because of that."

Hansen's efforts also earned commendation from the rival coach, who remarked he was the "standout Australian player" on the night.

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

"Unfortunately, Mack was probably the best opposition performer on the field. He's got a great ability and he's such a good contender."

When asked about what makes Hansen a strong fit at full-back, the coach continued: "Appearing in the center of the pitch is something that he does from the wing anyway, but I imagine he's more in position for that frequently.

"The player's high ball work was excellent, don't you think? I thought we persisted of executing the correct approach and that was putting the possession again on them to secure field position.

"The reason that was the correct thing to do is since it's the players of Hansen who was securing the balls returned, and other players, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Beyond the star performer, there were multiple encouraging aspects for the coach.

Another player was outstanding on his return to the number 10 jersey, the set piece and throw-in operated smoothly and different teammate did not look uncomfortable in his first start in the forwards.

But possibly most satisfying for the manager was Ireland framing the match with multiple impressive periods.

Hansen's initial two tries occurred in the opening eleven moments while additional players registered in the closing exchanges after the opposition had crossed, guaranteeing the home side finished on a high.

"In my opinion we truly performed freely and attacked the match right from the beginning," stated the coach.

"How we managed numerous elements throughout the game, especially 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 satisfying."

The might of South Africa are awaiting for Ireland, in what might be considered as an informal conclusion to the previous season's tied two-Test contest on rival soil.

Farrell's team will require to attain a higher level to beat the back-to-back world champions, but the recent defeat of the Australian team was a important step in the correct direction after an disappointing beginning to their fall schedule.