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Following last week's underwhelming showing against Japan, the head coach challenged his Ireland team to step up their game.

The team listened immediately.

The Irish side had struggled in the final stages against New Zealand and required considerable time to get going versus Japan.

However, against Australia, they began strongly, with Mack Hansen excelling brightest during a comprehensive triumph that represented the team's best display this year.

In his first test match start at full-back, the player registered a hat-trick, competed brilliantly for aerial challenges and played exceptionally against the country of his origin.

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

"I missed being in this team, 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 feels like family.

"Any time I have to represent for Ireland it's a privilege, if you don't put in a performance you may not receive that opportunity again.

"My entire approach this period was to take the field and perform what I can do."

Coach stated: 'Good players require no excuses'

Following 28 caps on the wing, Hansen was entrusted the number 15 role for the initial time with several teammates injured.

In his case, it was simply a case 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 squad.

After returned recently, he suffered a foot injury that made him unavailable for previous matches.

The coach had indicated that the player was especially motivated and these turned out to be not empty statements as the ex- provincial player gave his manager a positive selection dilemma for upcoming matches.

"Well my initial thoughts were, 'You need to perform well in those different colored boots!'," commented the coach, referring to the player's choice to wear mismatched footwear.

"In fact I thought that was fitting but apparently Hansen just made that personally regardless. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even started.

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

"So he's that type of player, he trains thoroughly, he's got a excellent attitude to get across his preparation and so that's why he slotted right back in and he was able to perform naturally because of that."

The player's performance also earned commendation from the opposing manager, who remarked he was the "standout Australian player" on the night.

"I thought he was outstanding, his experience was evident to the front," said the former international coach.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was probably the best Australian performer on the field. He's has a great skillset and he's such a strong competitor."

Pressed about what enables Hansen a good option at full-back, Farrell continued: "Showing up in the center of the pitch is a trait that he does from the wing regardless, but I suppose he's better in position for that frequently.

"His aerial work was excellent, don't you think? I thought we didn't get bored of doing the right approach and that was putting the ball again on them to secure territory.

"Why that was the correct thing to do is since it's the players of Hansen who was getting the balls returned, and additional players, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Outside the star performer, there were numerous encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Another player was outstanding on his return to the number 10 position, the set piece and throw-in functioned effectively and another teammate did not appear uncomfortable in his debut start in the front row.

But perhaps most pleasing for the manager was Ireland framing the match with two impressive periods.

Hansen's first couple of tries occurred in the opening eleven moments while additional teammates scored in the closing exchanges after the other team had scored, ensuring the home team finished on a high.

"I thought we truly let ourselves go and attacked the game straight from the beginning," said Farrell.

"How we handled various elements throughout the game, especially them coming back just before half-time and regathering ourselves and giving a performance like we did in the later stages, I believed as far as territory and being across most of our strategy in that later period was really satisfying."

The strength of the Springboks are awaiting for Ireland, in what might be considered as an informal decider to last year's drawn multiple match series on opposition territory.

The coach's team will require to attain a higher standard to defeat the back-to-back title holders, but the recent defeat of the Australian team was a important advancement in the correct direction after an uninspiring start to their fall schedule.