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After last week's underwhelming performance against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell told 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 get going versus their Asian opponents.

However, facing the Wallabies, they began strongly, with Mack Hansen shining most prominently during a comprehensive triumph that marked the team's best performance of the season.

In his debut test match appearance at the number 15 position, Hansen registered a three tries, contested brilliantly for high balls and performed exceptionally against the country of his birth.

"You know, I've experienced a fairly challenging run with fitness issues honestly," Hansen stated.

"I missed being in this team, I understand there's considerable talk about me not necessarily being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this team and this seems like family.

"Any time I have to represent for Ireland it's a honor, if you don't put in a performance you might not get that privilege again.

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

Coach declared: 'Good players don't need excuses'

After 28 caps on the wing, Hansen was entrusted the number 15 role for the first time with several teammates injured.

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

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

After returned last month, he suffered a foot injury that made him unavailable for earlier fixtures.

Farrell had suggested that the player was especially motivated and these turned out to be not hollow words as the former provincial player gave his manager a positive team dilemma for upcoming matches.

"So my first thoughts were, 'You need to perform excellently in those two colored shoes!'," commented the coach, alluding to Hansen's decision to wear mismatched footwear.

"Actually I thought that was appropriate but it seems Mack just did that himself anyway. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the game, 'Good players don't need excuses, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can win the player of the game if you choose,' and he went, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"So he's that type of player, he trains well, he's got a great attitude to get across his preparation and so that's why he slotted right into the team and he was able to perform naturally because of that."

Hansen's performance also earned praise from the opposing coach, who remarked he was the "standout Australian player" on the evening.

"I thought he was outstanding, his experience showed to the front," commented the ex- national coach.

"Unfortunately, Mack was likely the best opposition performer on the pitch. He's has a great ability and he's such a strong contender."

Pressed about what makes Hansen a strong fit at full-back, the coach added: "Appearing in the center of the field is a trait that he does from the flank regardless, but I suppose he's more in place for that frequently.

"The player's aerial work was excellent, wasn't it? I believed we persisted of doing the right approach and that was putting the possession back on them to gain territory.

"Why that was the right thing to do is because it's the likes of Mackie who was securing the possessions returned, and other players, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

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

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his return to the number 10 position, the scrum and line-out operated smoothly and different player did not appear out of place in his debut start in the front row.

But perhaps more pleasing for Farrell was Ireland framing the game with two strong spells.

Hansen's first two tries came in the first eleven minutes while other players scored in the closing exchanges after the opposition had scored, guaranteeing the Irish team concluded on a positive note.

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

"How we handled various aspects throughout the game, particularly the opposition coming back just before the break and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as territory and being across the majority of our strategy in that later period was truly pleasing."

The strength of the Springboks are awaiting for Ireland, in what might be considered as an unofficial conclusion to the previous season's drawn two-Test series on opposition soil.

The coach's team will need to attain a higher level to beat the consecutive title holders, but Saturday's defeat of the Australian team was a important step in the right path after an disappointing beginning to their autumn campaign.