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After their previous disappointing performance against Japan, the head coach told his Irish team to improve their performance.

Ireland responded right away.

The Irish side had faded in the final stages against the All Blacks and required most of the match to find their rhythm versus Japan.

However, against the Wallabies, they started strongly, with Mack Hansen shining brightest during a 46-19 triumph that marked the team's best display this year.

Making his first international appearance at the number 15 position, the player scored a hat-trick, competed excellently for high balls and played exceptionally against the nation of his birth.

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

"I longed for being in this squad, I understand there's considerable discussion about me not exactly being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this team and this feels like home.

"Whenever I get to represent for the national team it's a honor, if you don't put in a performance you might not receive that privilege again.

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

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

Following 28 caps on the flank, the player was given the full-back role for the initial time with multiple teammates unavailable.

For him, it was essentially a case of continuing where he left off during the warmer months.

The experienced player had been in excellent condition before physical issues ended his dream of making the Test team.

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

Farrell had indicated that Hansen was particularly motivated and these turned out to be not hollow words as the former provincial player gave his coach a positive selection dilemma for upcoming games.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You better play excellently in those different coloured boots!'," commented Farrell, alluding to the player's choice to sport different boots.

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

"I told to him before the match, 'Good players require no excuses, they can perform and just play naturally, you can win the man of the match if you want,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"So he's that type of performer, he trains well, he's has a excellent attitude to get across his preparation and thus that's why he slotted right back in and he was capable to perform naturally due to that."

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

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

"Regrettably, Hansen was likely the best Australian player on the pitch. He's got a great skillset and he's such a strong competitor."

When asked about what makes Hansen a strong option at full-back, the coach added: "Appearing in the middle of the pitch is something that he does from the flank regardless, but I suppose he's better in position for that frequently.

"The player's high ball play was brilliant, wasn't it? I believed we persisted of doing the correct thing and that was placing the possession back on them to gain field position.

"Why that was the right thing to do is because it's the players of Hansen who was securing the balls back, and other teammates, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

Outside Hansen, there were numerous encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his comeback to the fly-half jersey, the set piece and throw-in operated smoothly and another teammate did not appear uncomfortable in his first start in the front row.

But perhaps most satisfying for Farrell was Ireland framing the match with two impressive spells.

The player's first two tries came in the opening 11 minutes while other teammates scored in the final stages after the other team had crossed, ensuring the home team concluded on a positive note.

"In my opinion we truly let ourselves go and approached the game right from the beginning," stated the coach.

"How we managed numerous elements during the match, particularly them coming back just before the break and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we did in the second half, I believed as far as field position and being familiar with the majority of our strategy in that second half was truly satisfying."

The strength of South Africa are next up for the team, in what could be considered as an unofficial conclusion to last year's drawn multiple match series on opposition soil.

Farrell's side will need to attain another level to defeat the back-to-back title holders, but the recent defeat of the Australian team was a significant advancement in the correct direction after an disappointing beginning to their fall campaign.