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After last week's disappointing showing against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell challenged his Irish squad to improve their game.

The team responded immediately.

Ireland had faded late against New Zealand and required most of the match to get going versus Japan.

Nevertheless, against Australia, they began strongly, with Mack Hansen shining brightest during a comprehensive triumph that represented the team's best display this year.

Making his first international appearance at full-back, Hansen registered a hat-trick, competed brilliantly for aerial challenges and played outstandingly against the country of his birth.

"Look, I've experienced a pretty challenging period with injuries honestly," Hansen commented.

"I missed being in this squad, I understand there's much discussion about me not necessarily being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this group and this seems like family.

"Whenever I have to represent for Ireland it's a honor, if you don't put in a performance you may not receive that opportunity again.

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

Coach declared: 'Good athletes don't need justifications'

Following twenty-eight appearances on the wing, Hansen was given the number 15 role for the first time with several teammates unavailable.

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

The 28-year-old had been in superb condition before injury disrupted his dream of joining the international squad.

Having come back last month, he developed a lower body injury that made him unavailable for previous matches.

Farrell had suggested that the player was particularly motivated and these turned out to be not hollow statements as the ex- provincial player gave his coach a welcome team dilemma for upcoming games.

"Well my initial thoughts were, 'You better play excellently in those two coloured boots!'," said Farrell, alluding to Hansen's decision to wear different footwear.

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

"I told to him before the match, 'Excellent players don't need excuses, they can perform and just be themselves, you can get the player of the game if you choose,' and he went, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"So he's that type of player, he prepares well, he's got a excellent attitude to get across his detail and thus that's why he slotted right into the team and he was capable to perform naturally due to that."

Hansen's efforts also received commendation from the opposing manager, who remarked he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the evening.

"In my view he was super, his knowledge was evident to the fore," commented the ex- national manager.

"Regrettably, Hansen was probably the best opposition player on the field. He's got a excellent ability and he's such a strong contender."

Pressed about what makes the player a good fit at full-back, Farrell added: "Appearing in the middle of the pitch is something that he demonstrates from the flank regardless, but I suppose he's more in position for that more often.

"The player's high ball work was brilliant, wasn't it? I believed we didn't get bored of doing the correct approach and that was putting the possession back on them to gain territory.

"The reason that was the right thing to do is because it's the players of Mackie who was getting the balls returned, and additional teammates, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

Beyond the star performer, there were numerous encouraging aspects for the coach.

Another player was excellent on his comeback to the number 10 jersey, the set piece and throw-in functioned smoothly and another player did not appear out of place in his first start in the front row.

But possibly most satisfying for the manager was Ireland bookending the match with two impressive spells.

The player's first couple of tries occurred in the opening 11 moments while other teammates registered in the final stages after the opposition had crossed, ensuring the home team concluded on a positive note.

"I thought we truly performed freely and approached the match straight from the beginning," stated Farrell.

"The way we handled various aspects throughout the game, particularly the opposition coming back just before the break and regathering ourselves and giving a performance like we did in the later stages, I believed as far as field position and being familiar with most of our strategy in that later period was truly satisfying."

The might of the Springboks are next up for the team, in what could be viewed as an informal conclusion to the previous season's drawn two-Test series on rival territory.

Farrell's side will require to reach a higher level to defeat the consecutive world champions, but Saturday's defeat of the Wallabies was a significant advancement in the right direction after an uninspiring start to their fall schedule.