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After their previous underwhelming performance against Japan, the head coach challenged his Ireland team to improve their game.

Ireland listened right away.

The Irish side had faded in the final stages against New Zealand and required most of the match to get going versus their Asian opponents.

However, facing the Wallabies, they started powerfully, with Mack Hansen excelling most prominently during a 46-19 victory that marked Ireland's best performance of the season.

Making his debut international appearance at the number 15 position, Hansen scored a hat-trick, competed brilliantly for high balls and played outstandingly against the nation of his birth.

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

"I longed for being in this team, I understand there's considerable discussion about me not exactly being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this team and this seems like family.

"Whenever I have to represent for the national team it's a privilege, if you fail to deliver a performance you may not get that opportunity again.

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

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

Following 28 caps on the wing, the player was entrusted the full-back position for the initial time with several players injured.

For him, it was essentially a matter of picking up where he finished during the warmer months.

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

Having come back last month, he suffered a lower body problem that ruled him out for previous matches.

Farrell had suggested that the player was particularly determined and these turned out to be not hollow words as the ex- provincial player gave his manager a positive selection dilemma for future matches.

"So my initial thoughts were, 'You need to perform well in those different colored shoes!'," commented Farrell, referring to the player's decision to wear different footwear.

"In fact I thought that was fitting 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 athletes don't need justifications, they can perform and just play naturally, you can win the player of the game if you choose,' and he went, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that kind of player, he trains thoroughly, he's got a excellent attitude to understand his preparation and so that's why he slotted straight back in and he was capable to perform naturally due to that."

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

"I thought he was outstanding, his knowledge was evident to the fore," said the former national coach.

"Regrettably, Mack was probably the best Australian player on the field. He's got a great ability and he's such a strong competitor."

Pressed about what enables Hansen a strong option at full-back, the coach added: "Appearing in the center of the pitch is something that he demonstrates from the wing regardless, but I suppose he's more in place for that more often.

"The player's high ball play was brilliant, wasn't it? I thought we didn't get bored of executing the right thing and that was putting the ball back on them to gain territory.

"The reason that was the correct strategy to do is since it's the players of Hansen who was getting the balls back, and other teammates, so [it's] quite pleasing."

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

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his comeback to the fly-half position, the set piece and throw-in operated smoothly and different teammate did not look out of place in his debut start in the forwards.

But perhaps most satisfying for the manager was Ireland framing the match with two strong periods.

Hansen's initial couple of scores came in the opening eleven minutes while additional teammates scored in the final stages after the other team had crossed, ensuring the Irish team concluded on a positive note.

"In my opinion we really let ourselves go and approached the game straight from the word go," stated the coach.

"How we handled numerous aspects during the game, particularly the opposition coming back just before the break and regathering ourselves and giving a display like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as territory and being across most of our game in that second half was truly pleasing."

The might of South Africa are awaiting for Ireland, in what could be viewed as an informal conclusion to last year's drawn multiple match contest on opposition soil.

The coach's side will require to attain another standard to defeat the back-to-back world champions, but Saturday's defeat of the Wallabies was a significant step in the correct direction after an uninspiring beginning to their autumn campaign.