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Following their previous disappointing performance against the Japanese team, the head coach told his Irish team to improve their game.

The team responded right away.

Ireland had struggled in the final stages against the All Blacks and required most of the match to get going versus Japan.

However, facing Australia, they began powerfully, with Mack Hansen excelling most prominently during a 46-19 triumph that marked the team's finest performance of the season.

In his debut international appearance at full-back, Hansen scored a hat-trick, contested brilliantly for aerial challenges and performed outstandingly against the country of his birth.

"Look, I've had a pretty difficult period with fitness issues honestly," the athlete commented.

"I longed for being in this squad, I know there's much talk about me not necessarily being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this team and this feels like family.

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

"My whole focus this week was to take the field and do what I can do."

Manager stated: 'Excellent athletes require no excuses'

After twenty-eight caps on the flank, the player was entrusted the number 15 position for the first time with several teammates unavailable.

In his case, it was simply a matter of picking up where he finished during the summer.

The 28-year-old had been in superb form before injury ended his aspiration of joining the Test squad.

Having returned recently, he developed a lower body problem that ruled him out for previous matches.

The coach had suggested that Hansen was especially determined and these turned out to be not hollow statements as the ex- provincial player gave his manager a positive team headache for upcoming games.

"So my initial reaction were, 'You better play well in those different coloured boots!'," commented the coach, referring to Hansen's choice to sport mismatched footwear.

"In fact I believed that was fitting but it seems Hansen just did that himself anyway. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I said to him before the game, 'Good athletes require no excuses, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can get the player of the game if you choose,' and he went, 'Yes, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that kind of player, he trains well, he's got a great approach to get across his detail and so that's why he slotted right into the team and he was capable to be himself because of that."

Hansen's efforts also earned commendation from the rival coach, who stated he was the "standout Australian performer" on the night.

"In my view he was super, his knowledge showed to the front," commented the ex- national coach.

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

When asked about what makes Hansen a good fit at full-back, the coach continued: "Showing up in the center of the field is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing regardless, but I suppose he's better in position for that frequently.

"His high ball play was excellent, don't you think? I believed we didn't get bored of doing the right thing and that was placing the ball again on them to gain territory.

"Why that was the right strategy to do is since it's the players of Hansen who was securing the balls returned, and other teammates, so [it's] quite satisfying."

Beyond the star performer, there were numerous positives for Farrell.

Another player was excellent on his return to the number 10 jersey, the scrum and line-out functioned smoothly and different teammate did not look uncomfortable in his first appearance in the front row.

But perhaps most pleasing for Farrell was Ireland bookending the game with two strong spells.

Hansen's initial two tries came in the first eleven minutes while additional teammates registered in the final stages after the opposition had scored, ensuring the home team concluded on a positive note.

"In my opinion we really performed freely and attacked the game straight from the word go," stated Farrell.

"How we managed numerous elements during the match, particularly them coming back just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and giving a display like we did in the later stages, I believed as far as field position and being familiar with most of our game in that second half was truly pleasing."

The might of South Africa are next up for Ireland, in what might be considered as an informal conclusion to last year's drawn two-Test series on opposition soil.

Farrell's team will need to reach another level to beat the back-to-back title holders, but the recent defeat of the Australian team was a significant advancement in the right path after an uninspiring beginning to their autumn campaign.