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Following their previous underwhelming showing against Japan, the head coach told his Ireland squad to step up their game.

Ireland listened immediately.

Ireland had struggled late against the All Blacks and required considerable time to get going versus Japan.

However, against the Wallabies, they began powerfully, with Mack Hansen excelling brightest during a comprehensive triumph that marked the team's finest display this year.

In his debut test match start at full-back, Hansen scored a three tries, competed brilliantly for aerial challenges and played exceptionally against the country of his birth.

"Look, I've experienced a pretty difficult run with fitness issues honestly," the athlete commented.

"I longed for being in this team, I understand there's much discussion about me not necessarily being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this team and this feels like home.

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

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

Coach stated: 'Good athletes require no justifications'

After 28 caps on the wing, the player was entrusted the full-back position for the first time with several teammates unavailable.

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

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

After come back recently, he suffered a lower body problem that made him unavailable for earlier fixtures.

Farrell had indicated that Hansen was particularly determined and these proved not hollow statements as the former club player gave his manager a positive selection headache for upcoming matches.

"So my first reaction were, 'You need to perform excellently in those different coloured boots!'," said the coach, referring to Hansen's choice to sport different boots.

"In fact I thought that was fitting but apparently Mack just did that personally regardless. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes require no excuses, they can perform and just be themselves, you can get the man of the match if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"So he's that kind of player, he prepares well, he's has a great attitude to get across his preparation and so that's why he fitted straight back in and he was capable to perform naturally because of that."

Hansen's efforts also received commendation from the rival manager, who stated he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the night.

"I thought he was super, his knowledge was evident to the fore," said the ex- national coach.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was likely the best Australian performer on the pitch. He's has a great ability and he's such a good competitor."

Pressed about what enables Hansen a good option at the number 15 position, the coach added: "Appearing in the center of the pitch is something that he does from the wing regardless, but I suppose he's better in position for that frequently.

"His aerial play was excellent, wasn't it? I thought we persisted of executing the correct approach and that was putting the ball back on them to secure territory.

"Why that was the right strategy to do is since it's the likes of Mackie who was getting the balls back, and other players, so [it's] quite satisfying."

Outside Hansen, there were numerous encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Another player was outstanding on his comeback to the number 10 position, the scrum and throw-in operated smoothly and another player did not look uncomfortable in his debut start in the forwards.

But possibly more satisfying for Farrell was Ireland framing the game with multiple impressive spells.

The player's initial two tries came in the opening 11 minutes while additional players scored in the final exchanges after the other team had scored, ensuring the home side finished on a high.

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

"How we handled numerous elements during the match, particularly the opposition responding just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and producing a display like we achieved in the second half, I believed as far as territory and being across the majority of our game in that later period was really pleasing."

The strength of the Springboks are next up for the team, in what could be considered as an unofficial conclusion to last year's drawn multiple match contest on opposition soil.

The coach's team will need to attain another standard to beat the consecutive world champions, but Saturday's defeat of the Australian team was a significant advancement in the correct path after an disappointing beginning to their fall schedule.