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Following their previous underwhelming showing against Japan, Andy Farrell told his Irish squad to improve their game.

Ireland responded right away.

Ireland had struggled late against New Zealand and required considerable time to find their rhythm versus Japan.

Nevertheless, facing the Wallabies, they started strongly, with Mack Hansen excelling brightest during a 46-19 victory that represented Ireland's best performance of the season.

Making his first international appearance at the number 15 position, the player scored a three tries, competed brilliantly for aerial challenges and performed exceptionally against the nation of his birth.

"Look, I've had a fairly challenging run with fitness issues honestly," the athlete stated.

"I missed being in this team, I know there's much talk about me not exactly being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this team and this feels like home.

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

"My entire focus this week was to take the field and do what I can do."

Manager declared: 'Excellent athletes require no justifications'

After twenty-eight caps on the flank, the player was given the full-back role for the initial time with several players unavailable.

For him, it was simply a matter of continuing where he left off during the summer.

The 28-year-old had been in excellent condition before injury ended his aspiration of making the Test squad.

Having come back recently, he suffered a foot problem that made him unavailable for previous fixtures.

Farrell had suggested that Hansen was especially determined and these turned out to be not empty words as the ex- club player gave his coach a positive team dilemma for upcoming matches.

"Well my initial thoughts were, 'You need to perform excellently in those different colored boots!'," said Farrell, alluding to the player's choice to wear different boots.

"In fact I thought that was appropriate but apparently Hansen just made that personally regardless. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I said to him before the game, 'Good athletes require no justifications, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can win the man of the match if you choose,' and he went, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that kind of player, he trains thoroughly, he's got a great approach to get across his detail and so that's why he slotted right into the team and he was able to be himself due to that."

The player's efforts also received praise from the rival manager, who remarked he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the evening.

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

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

Pressed about what enables the player a good option at the number 15 position, Farrell continued: "Showing up in the middle of the pitch is a trait that he demonstrates from the flank regardless, but I suppose he's better in place for that more often.

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

"Why that was the correct thing to do is since it's the players of Mackie who was getting the balls returned, and additional players, so [it's] quite pleasing."

Outside Hansen, there were multiple positives for Farrell.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his comeback to the fly-half jersey, the set piece and throw-in functioned effectively and different player did not look out of place in his first start in the front row.

But perhaps more pleasing for Farrell was Ireland framing the match with multiple strong spells.

Hansen's initial two scores occurred in the opening eleven minutes while other teammates scored in the closing exchanges after the opposition had crossed, ensuring the home side finished on a positive note.

"In my opinion we truly performed freely and attacked the match right from the word go," stated the coach.

"How we handled numerous aspects throughout the game, especially them responding just before half-time and regathering ourselves and giving a performance like we did in the second half, I thought as far as territory and being familiar with most of our strategy in that later period was really satisfying."

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

Farrell's team will require to attain a higher level to beat the consecutive title holders, but the recent victory of the Australian team was a important advancement in the correct path after an uninspiring start to their fall campaign.