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After last week's disappointing performance against Japan, Andy Farrell told his Irish squad to step up their performance.

The team responded right away.

The Irish side had struggled late against New Zealand and required considerable time to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, against the Wallabies, they began strongly, with Mack Hansen shining most prominently during a 46-19 victory that represented Ireland's finest performance this year.

In his first test match appearance at the number 15 position, Hansen scored a three tries, contested brilliantly for high balls and played outstandingly against the country of his birth.

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

"I missed being in this squad, I know there's considerable talk about me not necessarily being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this team and this seems like family.

"Any time I have to play for the national team it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a performance you might not get that privilege again.

"My whole focus this week was to go out and perform what I could do."

Coach stated: 'Excellent players require no justifications'

After twenty-eight appearances on the wing, the player was entrusted the number 15 role for the initial time with several players unavailable.

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

The experienced player had been in superb form before injury ended his aspiration of joining the Test team.

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

Farrell had indicated that Hansen was especially determined and these turned out to be not empty statements as the former club player gave his coach a welcome team headache for future matches.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You better perform well in those two colored shoes!'," commented the coach, referring to the player's choice to wear different footwear.

"Actually I believed that was appropriate but apparently Hansen just did that personally regardless. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the game, 'Excellent athletes require no justifications, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can win the man of the match if you want,' and he went, 'Yes, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that kind of performer, he trains thoroughly, he's got a great attitude to understand his preparation and thus that's why he slotted straight into the team and he was capable to be himself because of that."

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

"In my view he was super, his knowledge showed to the fore," said the former international manager.

"Unfortunately, Mack was likely the best Australian performer on the pitch. He's got a great skillset and he's such a strong competitor."

Pressed about what makes Hansen a strong fit at full-back, the coach continued: "Showing up in the center of the field is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing anyway, but I suppose he's more in place for that frequently.

"His high ball play was excellent, don't you think? I thought we didn't get bored of executing the right thing and that was placing the ball again on them to secure field position.

"Why that was the right strategy to do is since it's the likes of Hansen who was securing the possessions back, and additional players, so [it's] quite satisfying."

Beyond the star performer, there were multiple encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his return to the number 10 position, the scrum and throw-in operated effectively and different teammate did not appear uncomfortable in his debut start in the forwards.

But perhaps more satisfying for Farrell was Ireland framing the game with multiple strong periods.

Hansen's first couple of tries occurred in the first 11 minutes while other teammates scored in the final stages after the opposition had crossed, ensuring the Irish side finished on a positive note.

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

"How we handled various aspects during the game, especially the opposition responding just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and producing a performance like we achieved in the later stages, I believed as far as field position and being familiar with the majority of our strategy in that later period was truly pleasing."

The strength of South Africa are next up for the team, in what could be considered as an unofficial conclusion to last year's tied multiple match contest on rival territory.

The coach's side will require to reach another level to beat the consecutive world champions, but the recent victory of the Australian team was a significant advancement in the right direction after an uninspiring beginning to their fall schedule.