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Following their previous underwhelming performance against the Japanese team, the head coach told his Ireland squad to improve their performance.

Ireland listened immediately.

Ireland had struggled in the final stages against New Zealand and taken considerable time to find their rhythm versus Japan.

However, against Australia, they began strongly, with Mack Hansen shining brightest during a 46-19 triumph that represented Ireland's best display this year.

Making his first test match start at the number 15 position, Hansen scored a hat-trick, contested brilliantly for aerial challenges and performed exceptionally against the country of his origin.

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

"I missed being in this team, I understand there's much talk about me not exactly being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this team and this feels 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 may not get that privilege again.

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

Coach declared: 'Good players require no excuses'

Following twenty-eight caps on the wing, Hansen was entrusted the number 15 position for the initial time with several teammates unavailable.

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

The experienced player had been in excellent condition before physical issues disrupted his aspiration of joining the international squad.

Having returned last month, he developed a foot injury that ruled him out for previous fixtures.

Farrell had suggested that the player was particularly determined and these turned out to be not empty statements as the ex- provincial player gave his coach a positive team dilemma for future games.

"Well my initial thoughts were, 'You better play excellently in those different coloured boots!'," commented the coach, referring to the player's choice to sport different boots.

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

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

"So he's that type of player, he trains thoroughly, he's got a great approach to get across his preparation and so that's why he fitted straight into the team and he was capable to perform naturally because of that."

The player's efforts also earned praise 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 ex- international manager.

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

When asked about what makes the player a strong option at the number 15 position, Farrell continued: "Appearing in the middle of the pitch is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing regardless, but I suppose he's more in position for that frequently.

"His aerial play was brilliant, don't you think? I believed we didn't get bored of doing the correct approach and that was putting the possession back on them to secure field position.

"Why that was the right strategy to do is since it's the players of Hansen who was getting the possessions back, and additional teammates, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Outside Hansen, there were numerous encouraging aspects for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his return to the number 10 jersey, the scrum and line-out functioned effectively and another player did not appear uncomfortable in his first appearance in the front row.

But possibly most satisfying for the manager was Ireland bookending the game with multiple impressive spells.

Hansen's initial two scores came in the opening eleven minutes while additional teammates scored in the closing stages after the other team had scored, guaranteeing the home side finished on a high.

"In my opinion we truly let ourselves go and approached the game straight from the word go," stated the coach.

"The way we managed various elements during the game, especially the opposition coming back just before half-time and regathering ourselves and giving a performance like we did in the second half, I believed as far as field position and being familiar with the majority of our strategy in that second half was really pleasing."

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

Farrell's side will need to attain another level to defeat the back-to-back title holders, but the recent victory of the Australian team was a important advancement in the correct direction after an disappointing start to their fall schedule.