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Following their previous underwhelming performance against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell told his Irish squad to improve their game.

Ireland listened immediately.

Ireland had faded in the final stages against New Zealand and required considerable time to find their rhythm versus Japan.

Nevertheless, facing the Wallabies, they began strongly, with Mack Hansen excelling brightest during a 46-19 triumph that represented the team's best display this year.

In his first test match appearance at full-back, the player scored a three tries, competed excellently for aerial challenges and performed outstandingly against the nation of his birth.

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

"I missed being in this squad, I understand there's considerable talk about me not exactly being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this group and this feels like home.

"Whenever I have to play for Ireland it's a privilege, if you fail to deliver a good showing you might not receive that privilege again.

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

Manager stated: 'Excellent players don't need justifications'

Following twenty-eight appearances on the flank, the player was given the full-back role for the initial time with several players injured.

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

The experienced player had been in superb form before injury disrupted his dream of joining the international team.

Having returned recently, he developed a foot injury that made him unavailable for previous fixtures.

Farrell had indicated that Hansen was especially determined and these turned out to be not hollow statements as the ex- club player gave his coach a positive selection headache for upcoming matches.

"So my initial thoughts were, 'You better perform well in those two coloured shoes!'," commented the coach, alluding to Hansen's decision to wear different boots.

"In fact I thought that was fitting but it seems Hansen just did that himself regardless. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even started.

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

"So he's that kind of player, he prepares well, he's got a excellent attitude to understand his preparation and thus that's why he slotted right into the team and he was able to perform naturally because of that."

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

"In my view he was outstanding, his experience showed to the front," commented the ex- national manager.

"Regrettably, Hansen was likely the best opposition player on the pitch. He's has a excellent skillset and he's such a good competitor."

When asked about what enables Hansen a strong option at full-back, the coach continued: "Showing up in the middle of the pitch is a trait that he does from the wing regardless, but I imagine he's better in position for that frequently.

"The player's high ball work was excellent, don't you think? I thought we didn't get bored of doing the right thing and that was placing the possession again on them to gain territory.

"Why that was the correct strategy to do is since it's the likes of Mackie who was getting the balls returned, and additional teammates, so [it's] quite satisfying."

Beyond Hansen, there were multiple encouraging aspects for the coach.

Another player was excellent on his return to the fly-half position, the set piece and throw-in functioned smoothly and another player did not appear out of place in his debut start in the front row.

But perhaps more pleasing for the manager was Ireland framing the match with multiple impressive spells.

Hansen's initial two scores occurred in the opening 11 minutes while additional players scored in the closing exchanges after the opposition had scored, ensuring the Irish side concluded on a high.

"I thought we really performed freely and approached the game right from the beginning," stated Farrell.

"How we handled numerous aspects during the match, especially the opposition responding just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and producing a performance like we did in the later stages, I believed as far as field position and being familiar with most of our game in that later period was really pleasing."

The might of the Springboks are next up for Ireland, in what might be considered as an informal decider to the previous season's tied multiple match series on opposition soil.

Farrell's team will need to reach a higher standard to beat the back-to-back title holders, but the recent victory of the Australian team was a important advancement in the correct direction after an uninspiring start to their fall schedule.