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Following last week's underwhelming showing against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell told his Ireland squad to improve their performance.

The team responded right away.

Ireland had struggled late against New Zealand and taken most of the match to find their rhythm versus Japan.

Nevertheless, against the Wallabies, they began strongly, with Mack Hansen excelling brightest during a comprehensive victory that represented Ireland's finest performance this year.

Making his first test match appearance at the number 15 position, the player registered a hat-trick, competed excellently for aerial challenges and performed outstandingly against the nation of his origin.

"You know, I've had a pretty difficult run with fitness issues honestly," Hansen commented.

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

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

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

Coach stated: 'Excellent players require no excuses'

Following twenty-eight caps on the wing, Hansen was entrusted the full-back role for the initial time with several teammates unavailable.

For him, it was essentially a case of continuing where he finished during the summer.

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

Having come back recently, he developed a lower body problem that ruled him out for previous fixtures.

Farrell had suggested that Hansen was especially motivated and these proved not empty words as the ex- club player gave his manager a positive selection dilemma for upcoming games.

"So my first reaction were, 'You need to play excellently in those two coloured boots!'," said Farrell, alluding to Hansen's decision to wear mismatched footwear.

"Actually I believed that was appropriate but apparently Mack just made that personally anyway. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even started.

"I said to him before the match, 'Good players don't need justifications, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can get the man of the match if you want,' and he went, 'Yes, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that type of player, he prepares well, he's got a excellent approach to understand his preparation and so that's why he slotted straight back in and he was capable to be himself because of that."

Hansen's efforts also earned commendation from the rival coach, who stated he was the "standout opposition performer" on the evening.

"I thought he was outstanding, his knowledge was evident to the front," said the ex- international manager.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was likely the standout opposition player on the pitch. He's got a great skillset and he's such a good contender."

When asked about what enables Hansen a good option at full-back, the coach continued: "Showing up in the center of the pitch is a trait that he demonstrates from the flank anyway, but I suppose he's more in position for that more often.

"The player's high ball play was excellent, don't you think? I thought we persisted of executing the correct thing and that was placing the possession back on them to gain territory.

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

Outside the star performer, there were multiple encouraging aspects for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his comeback to the fly-half position, the set piece and throw-in operated effectively and another teammate did not look uncomfortable in his first start in the forwards.

But perhaps most satisfying for Farrell was Ireland bookending the match with two impressive spells.

The player's initial couple of scores occurred in the first eleven moments while additional teammates registered in the closing stages after the opposition had scored, ensuring the Irish team concluded on a positive note.

"I thought we really let ourselves go and approached the game right from the beginning," stated Farrell.

"How we managed numerous aspects throughout the game, particularly them coming back just before half-time and regathering ourselves and producing a display like we achieved in the later stages, I thought as far as field position and being familiar with most of our game in that later period was really pleasing."

The strength of the Springboks are next up for Ireland, in what might be viewed as an unofficial conclusion to the previous season's tied two-Test series on rival soil.

Farrell's team will need to reach a higher level to beat the consecutive title holders, but Saturday's victory of the Australian team was a significant advancement in the correct direction after an uninspiring start to their fall campaign.