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Following last week's underwhelming performance against the Japanese team, the head coach challenged his Ireland squad to improve their game.

Ireland responded immediately.

Ireland had faded late against the All Blacks and required considerable time to get going versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, against the Wallabies, they started powerfully, with Mack Hansen shining brightest during a comprehensive triumph that represented the team's best performance this year.

Making his debut international appearance at the number 15 position, the player registered a hat-trick, contested excellently for aerial challenges and played outstandingly against the nation of his birth.

"You know, I've experienced a pretty difficult period with fitness issues honestly," Hansen commented.

"I missed being in this squad, I know there's much talk about me not necessarily being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this team and this feels like family.

"Any time I get to play for the national team it's a honor, if you don't put in a performance you may not get that opportunity again.

"My whole focus this week was to go out and perform what I could do."

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

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

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

The experienced player had been in superb condition before injury ended his dream of making the Test team.

After come back last month, he suffered a lower body problem that ruled him out for previous fixtures.

The coach had suggested that the player was particularly motivated and these turned out to be not hollow statements as the ex- club player gave his coach a positive selection headache for upcoming matches.

"Well my initial thoughts were, 'You need to play excellently in those two colored shoes!'," said Farrell, referring to the player's decision to sport different boots.

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

"I told to him before the game, 'Good players require no excuses, they can perform and just play naturally, you can get the player of the game if you want,' and he responded, 'Yes, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that kind of player, he trains well, he's got a excellent approach to get across his detail and thus that's why he slotted right into the team and he was capable to perform naturally due to that."

Hansen's performance also earned praise from the opposing manager, who stated he was the "exceptional Australian performer" on the evening.

"In my view he was outstanding, his knowledge showed to the fore," said the former national coach.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was probably the best Australian player on the pitch. He's got a great ability and he's such a good competitor."

Pressed about what enables the player a good option at the number 15 position, Farrell continued: "Appearing in the middle of the field is something that he does from the flank regardless, but I imagine he's better in place for that frequently.

"His aerial work was brilliant, don't you think? I believed we persisted of doing the right thing and that was placing 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 returned, and additional players, so [it's] quite pleasing."

Outside the star performer, there were numerous positives for the coach.

Another player was outstanding on his comeback to the number 10 jersey, the set piece and throw-in operated effectively and different teammate did not appear uncomfortable in his first appearance in the front row.

But possibly more satisfying for Farrell was Ireland bookending the game with multiple strong spells.

The player's initial couple of scores occurred in the opening 11 minutes while additional players scored in the closing exchanges after the other team had crossed, guaranteeing the Irish side finished on a positive note.

"In my opinion we truly let ourselves go and attacked the game straight from the word go," stated Farrell.

"The way we handled numerous elements during the match, particularly them coming back just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and producing a performance like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as territory and being familiar with most of our strategy in that second half was really satisfying."

The might of South Africa are awaiting for the team, in what might be viewed as an unofficial conclusion to the previous season's drawn two-Test contest on rival territory.

Farrell's team will need to reach another level to defeat the back-to-back world champions, but Saturday's victory of the Australian team was a significant step in the right direction after an uninspiring beginning to their autumn schedule.