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

Ireland listened right away.

Ireland had faded late against the All Blacks and taken most of the match to get going versus their Asian opponents.

However, against Australia, they started powerfully, with Mack Hansen shining most prominently during a 46-19 victory that marked Ireland's finest display this year.

Making his debut test match appearance at the number 15 position, Hansen scored a hat-trick, competed excellently for aerial challenges and played exceptionally against the nation of his origin.

"You know, I've had a fairly challenging period with fitness issues really," the athlete stated.

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

"Whenever I have to play for the national team it's a privilege, if you don't put in a good showing you may not get that opportunity again.

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

Manager stated: 'Good athletes require no justifications'

After twenty-eight appearances on the wing, Hansen was entrusted the full-back role for the first time with multiple teammates injured.

For him, it was simply a matter of picking up where he finished during the warmer months.

The experienced player had been in superb form before injury disrupted his dream of joining the Test squad.

After come back last month, he suffered a foot injury that ruled him out for previous fixtures.

The coach had suggested that the player was especially motivated and these turned out to be not empty words as the ex- provincial player gave his coach a positive team headache for future matches.

"So my initial reaction were, 'You better perform excellently in those two colored boots!'," said the coach, alluding to the player's choice to wear different boots.

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

"I said to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes require no excuses, they can perform and just be themselves, you can get the player of the game if you want,' and he went, 'Yes, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that type of performer, he trains thoroughly, he's got a great approach to get across his detail and thus that's why he fitted straight into the team and he was able to perform naturally because of that."

The player's efforts also received commendation from the rival coach, who remarked he was the "exceptional Australian performer" on the evening.

"In my view he was super, his knowledge showed to the front," commented the former national manager.

"Regrettably, Hansen was probably the best opposition performer on the field. He's got a excellent skillset and he's such a strong competitor."

Pressed about what makes Hansen a strong fit at the number 15 position, the coach continued: "Showing up in the middle of the pitch is a trait that he does from the flank anyway, but I suppose he's more in position for that more often.

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

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

Beyond the star performer, there were numerous positives for the coach.

Another player was excellent on his return to the number 10 position, the scrum and throw-in functioned effectively and another player did not appear out of place in his first start in the front row.

But perhaps most satisfying for the manager was the team bookending the match with two impressive spells.

The player's initial two tries came in the first eleven moments while other players registered in the final stages after the other team had scored, ensuring the home team concluded on a positive note.

"In my opinion we truly performed freely and attacked the match straight from the beginning," said the coach.

"How we managed various elements during the game, especially the opposition coming back just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and producing a display like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as territory and being familiar with the majority of our game in that later period was truly pleasing."

The strength of South Africa are awaiting for the team, in what might be considered as an informal conclusion to the previous season's drawn multiple match contest on rival soil.

The coach's team will require to attain another level to beat the back-to-back title holders, but the recent victory of the Wallabies was a significant advancement in the right direction after an disappointing start to their autumn campaign.