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After last week's disappointing showing against Japan, the head coach challenged his Irish squad to improve their game.

Ireland responded immediately.

The Irish side had struggled late against New Zealand and taken most of the match to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

However, against Australia, they started strongly, with Mack Hansen shining brightest during a comprehensive triumph that marked Ireland's finest performance of the season.

Making his first test match start at the number 15 position, Hansen scored a three tries, contested excellently for high balls and played exceptionally against the country of his origin.

"Look, I've experienced a fairly challenging run with fitness issues honestly," the athlete stated.

"I longed for being in this squad, I know there's considerable talk about me not exactly being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this group and this seems like home.

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

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

Coach stated: 'Good athletes require no justifications'

After twenty-eight caps on the flank, Hansen was given the full-back role for the initial time with multiple players injured.

For him, it was simply a case of continuing where he finished during the warmer months.

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

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

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

"Well my first reaction were, 'You better play excellently in those two colored boots!'," said Farrell, referring to Hansen's choice to wear mismatched boots.

"In fact I thought that was fitting but apparently Hansen just made that himself anyway. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I said to him before the match, 'Good athletes don't need excuses, they can perform and just play naturally, you can get the player of the game if you want,' and he responded, 'Yes, I concur.'

"So he's that kind of player, he prepares well, he's has a excellent attitude to get across his preparation and so that's why he fitted straight back in and he was capable to be himself because of that."

Hansen's performance also received commendation from the rival manager, who remarked he was the "exceptional opposition player" on the evening.

"In my view he was super, his knowledge showed to the fore," said the former international manager.

"Regrettably, Mack was probably the standout opposition player on the field. He's has a excellent skillset and he's such a strong contender."

Pressed about what enables Hansen a strong fit at full-back, Farrell added: "Showing up in the middle of the field is a trait that he does from the wing anyway, but I suppose he's better in place for that frequently.

"His high ball play was brilliant, wasn't it? I thought we didn't get bored of executing the correct thing and that was putting the ball again on them to gain field position.

"Why that was the right thing to do is since it's the players of Mackie who was securing the balls returned, and additional teammates, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

Outside the star performer, there were numerous encouraging aspects for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his return to the number 10 jersey, the scrum and throw-in operated effectively and different teammate did not look out of place in his first appearance in the forwards.

But possibly most satisfying for the manager was Ireland framing the game with two strong spells.

Hansen's first couple of tries came in the first 11 minutes while other players registered in the final stages after the other team had scored, guaranteeing the home side concluded on a high.

"In my opinion we really performed freely and attacked the game straight from the beginning," said Farrell.

"How we managed various elements during the game, particularly them coming back just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and producing a display like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as field position and being familiar with most of our strategy in that later period was really satisfying."

The strength of South Africa are next up for Ireland, in what could be considered as an unofficial conclusion to the previous season's drawn two-Test series on opposition territory.

The coach's side will require to attain another standard to defeat the consecutive title holders, but the recent defeat of the Australian team was a significant advancement in the correct direction after an uninspiring beginning to their fall schedule.