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Following last week's disappointing showing against Japan, the head coach told his Irish team to improve their game.

Ireland responded immediately.

Ireland had faded in the final stages against the All Blacks and taken most of the match to find their rhythm versus Japan.

Nevertheless, against Australia, they began powerfully, with Mack Hansen excelling most prominently during a comprehensive victory that represented the team's best display this year.

Making his debut test match start at the number 15 position, Hansen scored a three tries, competed excellently for high balls and performed outstandingly against the country of his birth.

"Look, I've had a pretty challenging run with fitness issues really," Hansen stated.

"I missed being in this squad, I understand there's much discussion about me not necessarily being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this group and this seems like home.

"Any time I get to represent for Ireland it's a privilege, if you don't put in a good showing you might not receive that opportunity again.

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

Coach stated: 'Excellent athletes require no justifications'

Following 28 appearances on the wing, Hansen was entrusted the number 15 position for the first time with several teammates injured.

In his case, it was simply a case of continuing where he left off during the warmer months.

The 28-year-old had been in superb condition before physical issues ended his aspiration of joining the Test squad.

After come back last month, he suffered a foot problem that made him unavailable for previous fixtures.

The coach had suggested that Hansen was especially motivated and these proved not empty statements as the former provincial player gave his coach a welcome selection dilemma for future games.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You better play excellently in those different colored shoes!'," said Farrell, alluding to Hansen's decision to sport different footwear.

"Actually I thought that was appropriate but apparently Mack just made that himself anyway. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the match, '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 want,' and he went, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that type of performer, he trains well, he's got a great approach to get across his detail and thus that's why he slotted right into the team and he was able to be himself because of that."

Hansen's efforts also received commendation from the rival coach, who remarked he was the "standout Australian player" on the night.

"I thought he was outstanding, his knowledge showed to the fore," said the ex- international coach.

"Regrettably, Hansen was probably the standout opposition performer on the field. He's got a excellent ability and he's such a good contender."

Pressed about what enables the player a good fit at the number 15 position, the coach continued: "Showing up in the middle of the pitch is something that he demonstrates from the wing anyway, but I imagine he's more in place for that frequently.

"The player's aerial play was brilliant, wasn't it? I thought we persisted of executing the correct approach and that was placing the possession back on them to secure territory.

"The reason that was the correct thing to do is since it's the likes of Hansen who was securing the balls returned, and other teammates, so [it's] quite satisfying."

Beyond Hansen, there were multiple positives for the coach.

Another player was excellent on his return to the fly-half position, the scrum and throw-in functioned smoothly and different teammate did not look out of place in his first appearance in the front row.

But possibly most pleasing for the manager was the team framing the game with two strong spells.

Hansen's first two scores came in the opening eleven moments while additional teammates scored in the final exchanges after the opposition had crossed, ensuring the home team finished on a high.

"In my opinion we truly let ourselves go and approached the match right from the word go," stated Farrell.

"How we managed numerous aspects during the match, especially the opposition responding just before half-time and regathering ourselves and giving a display like we did in the later stages, I believed as far as territory and being across most of our strategy in that second half was truly satisfying."

The might of the Springboks are next up for Ireland, in what could be considered as an informal conclusion to last year's tied multiple match contest on opposition territory.

Farrell's side will need to reach another level to beat the back-to-back title holders, but Saturday's defeat of the Wallabies was a important advancement in the right path after an uninspiring start to their autumn schedule.