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Following their previous underwhelming performance against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell challenged his Irish team to improve their performance.

Ireland responded immediately.

The Irish side had faded in the final stages against the All Blacks and required considerable time to find their rhythm versus Japan.

However, against Australia, they began strongly, with Mack Hansen shining most prominently during a 46-19 triumph that represented Ireland's finest performance this year.

Making his first international appearance at full-back, the player registered a hat-trick, contested brilliantly for high balls and performed outstandingly against the nation of his birth.

"Look, I've experienced a pretty challenging run with injuries really," the athlete commented.

"I longed for being in this squad, I know there's considerable discussion about me not necessarily being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this group and this feels like family.

"Whenever I have to represent for Ireland it's a honor, if you don't put in a good showing you might not get that privilege again.

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

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

After twenty-eight appearances on the flank, Hansen was entrusted the full-back position for the first time with several players injured.

In his case, it was simply a matter of continuing where he finished during the summer.

The experienced player had been in excellent form before physical issues disrupted his aspiration of making the Test team.

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

The coach had suggested that the player was especially determined and these turned out to be not hollow statements as the ex- provincial player gave his coach a welcome team dilemma for upcoming matches.

"Well my initial thoughts were, 'You need to play well in those two colored boots!'," said the coach, referring to the player's decision to sport different boots.

"In fact I thought that was fitting but apparently Mack just did that himself regardless. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I said to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes don't need excuses, they can perform and just play naturally, you can get the man of the match if you want,' and he responded, 'Yes, I agree.'

"So he's that kind of performer, he prepares well, he's has a great approach to get across his detail and thus that's why he fitted right into the team and he was capable to perform naturally due to that."

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

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

"Regrettably, Hansen was likely the best Australian performer on the field. He's has a great ability and he's such a strong contender."

Pressed about what enables Hansen a good fit at the number 15 position, the coach added: "Showing up in the middle of the field is something that he does from the wing regardless, but I imagine he's better in position for that more often.

"His aerial play was excellent, don't you think? I thought we persisted of doing the correct approach and that was placing the possession back on them to gain territory.

"The reason that was the correct strategy to do is because it's the likes of Hansen who was securing the balls back, and other teammates, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

Beyond Hansen, there were numerous positives for Farrell.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his return to the number 10 position, the scrum and line-out operated smoothly and different player did not appear uncomfortable in his first start in the front row.

But possibly more satisfying for the manager was the team framing the game with multiple strong spells.

Hansen's initial two tries occurred in the first eleven minutes while other teammates scored in the final stages after the opposition had crossed, guaranteeing the Irish side concluded on a high.

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

"The way we handled various elements throughout the game, especially them coming back just before the break and regathering ourselves and giving a display like we did in the later stages, I believed as far as territory and being across most of our game in that later period was really pleasing."

The might of South Africa are awaiting for the team, in what might be viewed as an unofficial conclusion to the previous season's tied two-Test series on opposition soil.

Farrell's team will require to attain another standard to defeat the consecutive world champions, but Saturday's victory of the Australian team was a important advancement in the right path after an uninspiring start to their autumn campaign.