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After their previous underwhelming showing against Japan, Andy Farrell challenged his Ireland team to step up their performance.

Ireland responded immediately.

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

However, against Australia, they started strongly, with Mack Hansen excelling most prominently during a 46-19 triumph that marked the team's finest display this year.

In his first international appearance at full-back, Hansen registered a hat-trick, competed brilliantly for high balls and played exceptionally against the nation of his birth.

"You know, I've experienced a fairly difficult period with injuries honestly," Hansen commented.

"I longed for being in this squad, I understand there's considerable discussion about me not exactly being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this group and this feels like family.

"Any time I get to play for Ireland it's a privilege, if you fail to deliver a performance you may not get that privilege again.

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

Manager declared: 'Excellent players don't need justifications'

Following twenty-eight caps on the flank, Hansen was entrusted the number 15 role for the first time with several teammates unavailable.

For him, it was simply a matter of continuing where he left off during the summer.

The experienced player had been in excellent condition before physical issues disrupted his dream of making the Test team.

Having returned recently, he developed a lower body injury that made him unavailable for earlier fixtures.

The coach had suggested that the player was especially motivated and these turned out to be not empty words as the ex- club player gave his coach a welcome team dilemma for upcoming games.

"Well my first reaction were, 'You better play well in those two coloured boots!'," said the coach, alluding to the player's choice to sport different footwear.

"In fact I believed that was appropriate but it seems Hansen just did that himself regardless. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I said to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes don't need excuses, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can get the man of the match if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that kind of performer, he prepares well, he's got a excellent approach to understand his preparation and thus that's why he slotted right back in and he was capable to perform naturally because of that."

Hansen's efforts also received praise from the rival coach, who stated he was the "standout opposition player" on the evening.

"In my view he was outstanding, his experience was evident to the front," commented the former international coach.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was probably the standout Australian player on the field. He's has a excellent skillset and he's such a strong competitor."

Pressed about what makes Hansen a good option at full-back, the coach added: "Appearing in the middle of the pitch is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing anyway, but I suppose he's better in position for that more often.

"The player's high ball play was brilliant, wasn't it? I thought we persisted of doing the correct approach and that was putting the ball back on them to gain field position.

"The reason that was the correct thing to do is because it's the likes of Hansen who was getting the possessions returned, and additional players, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

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

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his comeback to the fly-half jersey, the scrum and line-out functioned effectively and different teammate did not look out of place in his first start in the front row.

But possibly most satisfying for the manager was the team bookending the game with two strong periods.

The player's initial couple of scores came in the opening eleven minutes while additional teammates registered in the closing exchanges after the opposition had scored, guaranteeing the Irish team concluded on a positive note.

"I thought we truly let ourselves go and attacked the game straight from the beginning," stated Farrell.

"How we managed various aspects during the game, particularly the opposition responding just before the break and regathering ourselves and giving a display like we achieved in the later stages, I believed as far as territory and being across most of our strategy in that later period was truly pleasing."

The might of the Springboks are next up for Ireland, in what could be viewed as an unofficial decider to last year's tied multiple match contest on opposition soil.

The coach's side will require to attain a higher level to defeat the back-to-back title holders, but Saturday's defeat of the Wallabies was a important advancement in the correct direction after an disappointing beginning to their autumn schedule.