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Following their previous underwhelming performance against Japan, the head coach challenged his Ireland team to improve their game.

The team listened right away.

The Irish side had struggled late against the All Blacks and required most of the match to find their rhythm versus Japan.

Nevertheless, facing Australia, they began strongly, with Mack Hansen shining brightest during a comprehensive triumph that marked the team's finest display this year.

In his debut international appearance at the number 15 position, the player registered a hat-trick, contested brilliantly for aerial challenges and performed exceptionally against the country of his origin.

"Look, I've had a pretty difficult run with fitness issues honestly," Hansen commented.

"I longed for being in this team, I know there's much talk about me not exactly being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this group and this seems like family.

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

"My whole approach this period was to go out and perform what I can do."

Manager stated: 'Good athletes don't need justifications'

Following 28 appearances on the wing, Hansen was given the full-back position for the first time with several teammates unavailable.

In his case, it was essentially a matter of picking up where he left off during the summer.

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

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

Farrell had indicated that the player was particularly determined and these proved not hollow statements as the former provincial player gave his coach a positive team dilemma for future matches.

"Well my first reaction were, 'You better play well in those two coloured shoes!'," said Farrell, referring to the player's choice to wear different footwear.

"In fact I thought that was appropriate but apparently Hansen just made that personally regardless. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even started.

"I said to him before the match, 'Good athletes don't need excuses, they can perform and just be themselves, you can get the man of the match if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yes, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that kind of performer, he trains thoroughly, he's has a excellent approach to understand his preparation and so that's why he slotted right into the team and he was capable to perform naturally due to that."

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

"I thought he was super, his experience was evident to the fore," said the ex- international manager.

"Unfortunately, Mack was probably the standout opposition player on the pitch. He's has a great skillset and he's such a good competitor."

Pressed about what makes Hansen a good option at the number 15 position, Farrell continued: "Showing up in the center of the field is something that he does from the wing anyway, but I imagine he's more in place for that more often.

"His high ball play was excellent, don't you think? I believed we persisted of executing the correct thing and that was putting the possession back on them to secure field position.

"Why that was the correct thing to do is since it's the players of Hansen who was securing the balls back, and other teammates, so [it's] quite pleasing."

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

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his return to the number 10 position, the scrum and line-out operated effectively and different player did not look uncomfortable in his first appearance in the front row.

But perhaps more satisfying for the manager was the team framing the match with multiple strong periods.

Hansen's first couple of tries occurred in the opening 11 moments while other players scored in the final stages after the opposition had crossed, ensuring the home side concluded on a positive note.

"I thought we really performed freely and approached the game straight from the word go," said the coach.

"The way we handled various aspects during the match, especially the opposition coming back just before the break and regathering ourselves and giving a display like we did in the second half, I thought as far as territory and being across the majority of our game in that second half was truly satisfying."

The might of the Springboks are awaiting for the team, in what could be viewed as an informal decider to last year's tied multiple match contest on opposition soil.

The coach's side will need to attain a higher level to defeat the back-to-back title holders, but the recent defeat of the Wallabies was a important advancement in the correct direction after an uninspiring beginning to their fall schedule.