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After their previous underwhelming performance against Japan, Andy Farrell told his Irish squad to step up their game.

The team responded immediately.

The Irish side had faded in the final stages against the All Blacks and taken most of the match to get going versus Japan.

However, facing the Wallabies, they began powerfully, with Mack Hansen excelling brightest during a comprehensive victory that represented Ireland's best performance of the season.

In his first test match start at the number 15 position, Hansen scored a three tries, contested brilliantly for aerial challenges and performed outstandingly against the nation of his origin.

"Look, I've experienced a pretty challenging period with injuries really," the athlete stated.

"I longed for being in this team, I know there's much talk about me not necessarily being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this team and this feels like family.

"Whenever I have to play for the national team it's a honor, if you don't put in a good showing you may not receive that privilege again.

"My entire approach this period was to go out and do what I could do."

Manager declared: 'Excellent athletes require no justifications'

Following 28 appearances on the flank, the player was entrusted the number 15 role for the initial time with multiple teammates unavailable.

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

The experienced player had been in excellent form before injury ended his aspiration of making the international team.

Having come back last month, he suffered a foot problem that ruled him out for previous fixtures.

Farrell had indicated that Hansen was especially motivated and these turned out to be not empty words as the former provincial player gave his manager a welcome selection dilemma for future games.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You need to perform well in those different coloured boots!'," commented Farrell, alluding to the player's decision to sport different footwear.

"In fact I believed that was appropriate but it seems Mack just did that personally regardless. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the match, 'Good players require no excuses, they can perform and just be themselves, you can win the player of the game if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yes, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that type of player, he prepares thoroughly, he's got a great attitude to understand his preparation and thus that's why he fitted right into the team and he was capable to perform naturally because of that."

The player's performance also received commendation from the opposing manager, who stated he was the "standout opposition player" on the night.

"I thought he was outstanding, his knowledge showed to the front," commented the ex- national manager.

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

Pressed about what makes Hansen a strong option at full-back, the coach continued: "Appearing in the center of the field is a trait that he does from the flank regardless, but I suppose he's more in position for that frequently.

"The player's aerial play was excellent, don't you think? I believed we didn't get bored of executing the right approach and that was putting the possession back on them to secure territory.

"The reason that was the right strategy to do is because it's the likes of Hansen who was getting the possessions back, and additional teammates, so [it's] quite satisfying."

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

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his return to the number 10 jersey, the scrum and throw-in operated smoothly and different teammate did not appear out of place in his debut start in the forwards.

But possibly more pleasing for the manager was Ireland framing the game with two strong spells.

The player's initial two scores occurred in the opening 11 minutes while additional players scored in the closing stages after the opposition had crossed, ensuring the Irish side concluded on a high.

"I thought we really let ourselves go and attacked the game right from the word go," said Farrell.

"The way we managed numerous aspects during the game, especially the opposition coming back just before half-time and regathering ourselves and giving a performance like we did in the second half, I believed as far as field position and being across the majority of our strategy in that later period was really pleasing."

The strength of South Africa are awaiting for Ireland, in what could be viewed as an informal decider to the previous season's tied multiple match series on opposition territory.

The coach's side will require to attain a higher standard to beat the back-to-back world champions, but Saturday's defeat of the Australian team was a important step in the correct direction after an disappointing start to their fall campaign.