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After last week's disappointing performance against Japan, Andy Farrell challenged his Ireland squad to step up their game.

Ireland responded immediately.

Ireland had struggled late against New Zealand and taken considerable time to get going versus Japan.

However, against the Wallabies, they started strongly, with Mack Hansen shining brightest during a 46-19 triumph that represented the team's best performance this year.

In his debut international appearance at full-back, Hansen scored a three tries, competed excellently for high balls and played exceptionally against the nation of his birth.

"You know, I've experienced a pretty challenging run 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 didn't grow up here, but I adore this group and this feels like home.

"Whenever I get to play for Ireland it's a honor, if you don't put in a good showing you might not receive that privilege again.

"My whole approach this period was to go out and perform what I can do."

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

After twenty-eight appearances on the flank, the player was entrusted the number 15 role for the initial time with several teammates unavailable.

In his case, it was essentially a matter of continuing where he finished during the summer.

The 28-year-old had been in excellent form before injury ended his dream of making the Test squad.

After come back recently, he suffered a foot injury that ruled him out for earlier matches.

The coach had suggested that Hansen was particularly determined and these proved not empty statements as the ex- provincial player gave his manager a welcome selection headache for future matches.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You need to play excellently in those different coloured boots!'," commented Farrell, alluding to Hansen's decision to wear mismatched footwear.

"Actually I thought that was appropriate but it seems Hansen just did that himself regardless. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even begun.

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

"Therefore he's that kind of performer, he trains well, he's has a great attitude to understand his preparation and so that's why he fitted right into the team and he was capable to be himself because of that."

Hansen's performance also received praise from the rival manager, who stated he was the "exceptional opposition player" on the night.

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

"Regrettably, Mack was likely the standout Australian player on the field. He's got a great ability and he's such a good contender."

Pressed about what enables the player a good option at the number 15 position, Farrell added: "Appearing in the middle of the pitch is a trait that he demonstrates from the flank regardless, but I suppose he's better in place for that more often.

"His aerial play was brilliant, wasn't it? I believed we persisted of doing the right approach and that was putting the ball again on them to gain territory.

"The reason that was the right strategy to do is because it's the likes of Mackie who was securing the possessions back, and additional players, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

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

Another player was outstanding on his return to the fly-half jersey, the scrum and line-out operated smoothly and different player did not look out of place in his first start in the front row.

But perhaps most pleasing for the manager was the team bookending the match with multiple strong spells.

The player's initial couple of scores occurred in the first eleven minutes while additional players scored in the final exchanges after the other team had crossed, guaranteeing the home side concluded on a high.

"I thought we really performed freely and approached the match straight from the word go," said Farrell.

"How we handled numerous elements during the match, especially them responding just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and giving a display like we did in the later stages, I believed as far as territory and being across most of our game in that second half was truly pleasing."

The strength of South Africa are next up for the team, in what might be considered as an informal decider to the previous season's tied multiple match series on rival territory.

The coach's team will require to reach a higher standard to defeat the consecutive title holders, but Saturday's defeat of the Australian team was a significant advancement in the right direction after an uninspiring beginning to their autumn campaign.