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After last week's underwhelming performance against Japan, the head coach challenged his Irish team to improve their game.

The team listened right away.

Ireland had faded late against New Zealand and required considerable time to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

However, against Australia, they started strongly, with Mack Hansen shining most prominently during a comprehensive triumph that marked the team's finest display this year.

Making his first test match start at full-back, Hansen registered a hat-trick, contested brilliantly for high balls and played exceptionally against the nation of his birth.

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

"I missed being in this squad, I understand there's considerable discussion about me not exactly being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this team and this seems like home.

"Any time I have to represent 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 whole approach this week was to go out and perform what I can do."

Coach declared: 'Good players require no excuses'

After 28 caps on the wing, the player was entrusted the full-back role for the first time with multiple teammates unavailable.

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

The 28-year-old had been in excellent form before physical issues disrupted his aspiration of joining the international squad.

After returned last month, he developed a foot problem that ruled him out for previous matches.

Farrell had indicated that Hansen was particularly determined and these proved not empty statements as the former club player gave his manager a positive team dilemma for upcoming matches.

"So my initial reaction were, 'You need to play well in those two coloured boots!'," said the coach, referring to the player's decision to wear mismatched boots.

"In fact I believed that was fitting but it seems Hansen just did that himself regardless. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even started.

"I said to him before the match, 'Good athletes don't need excuses, they can perform and just play naturally, you can win the player of the game if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yes, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that kind of performer, he prepares thoroughly, he's got a excellent approach to get across his preparation and so that's why he slotted straight back in and he was able to be himself because of that."

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

"In my view he was super, his experience showed to the fore," commented the former national coach.

"Regrettably, Hansen was probably the standout opposition performer on the pitch. He's got a excellent skillset and he's such a strong contender."

Pressed about what enables Hansen a strong option at the number 15 position, Farrell added: "Appearing in the center of the field is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing regardless, but I imagine he's better in place for that more often.

"His high ball work was brilliant, don't you think? I thought we didn't get bored of executing the correct thing and that was putting the ball again on them to gain territory.

"Why that was the right thing to do is because it's the likes of Mackie who was securing the possessions returned, and other teammates, so [it's] quite satisfying."

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

Another player was outstanding on his comeback to the number 10 position, the set piece and line-out functioned smoothly and another teammate did not look out of place in his debut appearance in the front row.

But possibly most pleasing for the manager was Ireland framing the game with multiple impressive periods.

Hansen's first two tries came in the first 11 minutes while additional players registered in the closing exchanges after the opposition had scored, guaranteeing the home side finished on a high.

"In my opinion we truly let ourselves go and attacked the match right from the beginning," said Farrell.

"How we managed various elements during the match, especially the opposition responding just before the break and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we achieved in the later stages, I thought as far as field position and being familiar with most of our game in that second half was truly pleasing."

The might of the Springboks are awaiting for Ireland, in what might be viewed as an unofficial decider to the previous season's tied multiple match series on opposition territory.

The coach's team will need to attain a higher standard to beat the consecutive world champions, but the recent victory of the Wallabies was a significant advancement in the correct direction after an uninspiring start to their autumn campaign.