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Following last week's underwhelming showing against Japan, the head coach told his Irish squad to step up their performance.

Ireland listened immediately.

The Irish side had struggled in the final stages against New Zealand and taken most of the match to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

However, against the Wallabies, they began strongly, with Mack Hansen excelling most prominently during a comprehensive triumph that represented Ireland's best performance of the season.

Making his first international start at full-back, Hansen registered a three tries, competed brilliantly for high balls and played outstandingly against the nation of his origin.

"Look, I've experienced a pretty difficult run with fitness issues honestly," 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 team and this seems like family.

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

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

Coach stated: 'Good players require no excuses'

After 28 appearances on the wing, the player was given the full-back role for the first time with multiple teammates injured.

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

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

Having come back recently, he developed a foot injury that made him unavailable for earlier matches.

Farrell had suggested that Hansen was especially determined and these proved not hollow words as the ex- club player gave his manager a welcome team headache for future matches.

"Well my initial thoughts were, 'You need to perform excellently in those two colored boots!'," said Farrell, alluding to the player's decision to sport different boots.

"In fact I believed that was appropriate but apparently Hansen just did that himself regardless. So he's drawn attention 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 play naturally, you can win the man of the match if you choose,' and he went, 'Yes, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that type of performer, he trains well, he's has a excellent approach to understand his preparation and so that's why he fitted right back in and he was able to perform naturally because of that."

Hansen's efforts also received praise from the opposing manager, who stated he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the evening.

"I thought he was super, his experience was evident to the front," said the ex- international manager.

"Unfortunately, Mack was likely the standout Australian player on the field. He's has a great skillset and he's such a strong contender."

When asked about what enables Hansen a good fit at the number 15 position, Farrell added: "Appearing in the middle of the pitch is something that he demonstrates from the wing anyway, but I suppose he's more in place for that frequently.

"The player's aerial work was excellent, wasn't it? I thought we didn't get bored of doing the right thing and that was putting the ball again on them to secure field position.

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

Beyond the star performer, there were multiple encouraging aspects for the coach.

Another player was excellent on his comeback to the number 10 jersey, the scrum and throw-in operated effectively and another teammate did not appear uncomfortable in his first appearance in the front row.

But perhaps more satisfying for Farrell was the team bookending the game with two strong periods.

Hansen's first couple of scores occurred in the first eleven minutes while additional players registered in the closing stages after the other team had crossed, guaranteeing the home team finished on a high.

"In my opinion we really let ourselves go and attacked the game right from the word go," said Farrell.

"The way we handled numerous aspects during the match, especially the opposition responding just before half-time and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as field position and being familiar with most of our game in that second half was really pleasing."

The strength of the Springboks are awaiting for the team, in what might be considered as an informal conclusion to the previous season's drawn multiple match contest on opposition soil.

Farrell's team will require to attain another level to beat the consecutive title holders, but Saturday's defeat of the Wallabies was a important step in the right direction after an uninspiring beginning to their autumn schedule.