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Following last week's underwhelming showing against the Japanese team, the head coach challenged his Irish squad to improve their game.

Ireland listened immediately.

Ireland had struggled in the final stages against the All Blacks and required most of the match to find their rhythm versus Japan.

Nevertheless, against the Wallabies, they started powerfully, with Mack Hansen shining most prominently during a comprehensive victory that represented the team's best display this year.

In his first international appearance at full-back, the player scored a hat-trick, contested excellently for high balls and performed outstandingly against the nation of his origin.

"You know, I've experienced a pretty challenging run with injuries really," the athlete stated.

"I longed for being in this team, I know there's much discussion about me not necessarily being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this group and this seems like home.

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

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

Manager stated: 'Excellent players require no justifications'

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

For him, it was simply a case of picking up where he left off during the summer.

The experienced player had been in superb form before physical issues ended his aspiration of making the Test team.

After returned recently, he suffered a foot problem that made him unavailable for earlier matches.

The coach had indicated that Hansen was especially motivated and these proved not hollow statements as the ex- provincial player gave his manager a welcome team dilemma for future games.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You need to play well in those two coloured boots!'," commented the coach, alluding to Hansen's decision to sport mismatched footwear.

"Actually I thought that was fitting but it seems Hansen just made that personally anyway. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes don't need justifications, they can perform and just play naturally, you can win the player of the game if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yes, I agree.'

"So he's that type of player, he trains well, he's got a great approach to get across his preparation and thus that's why he fitted right back in and he was capable to be himself due to that."

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

"I thought he was super, his knowledge was evident to the fore," commented the former international coach.

"Regrettably, Hansen was likely the standout opposition player on the field. He's got a excellent skillset and he's such a good contender."

When asked about what enables Hansen a good fit at full-back, Farrell continued: "Showing up in the middle of the field is something that he demonstrates from the flank anyway, but I imagine he's better in position for that frequently.

"The player's aerial play was excellent, don't you think? I thought we didn't get bored of doing the correct approach and that was placing the ball back on them to gain territory.

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

Outside Hansen, there were numerous positives for Farrell.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his return to the number 10 jersey, the set piece and line-out functioned smoothly and another player did not look out of place in his first start in the front row.

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

Hansen's first two scores came in the first 11 minutes while other players scored in the final stages after the other team had crossed, guaranteeing the Irish side finished on a positive note.

"In my opinion we truly performed freely and approached the game right from the word go," said Farrell.

"How we handled various elements during the game, especially the opposition coming back just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and producing a display like we did in the later stages, I believed as far as field position and being across most of our game in that second half was truly pleasing."

The might of the Springboks are next up for the team, in what might be considered as an informal conclusion to the previous season's tied multiple match contest on opposition territory.

The coach's side will require to attain another standard to beat the consecutive title holders, but the recent defeat of the Wallabies was a significant advancement in the correct path after an disappointing start to their fall schedule.