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After their previous disappointing showing against Japan, the head coach challenged his Ireland team to step up their game.

The team listened right away.

Ireland had struggled late against the All Blacks and taken considerable time to get going versus their Asian opponents.

However, facing the Wallabies, they started powerfully, with Mack Hansen excelling most prominently during a comprehensive triumph that represented the team's best display this year.

Making his first test match appearance at full-back, Hansen registered a three tries, contested excellently for aerial challenges and played outstandingly against the nation of his birth.

"You know, I've experienced a pretty difficult run with fitness issues really," Hansen stated.

"I longed for being in this team, I know there's much talk about me not exactly being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this team and this feels like family.

"Any time I get to play for the national team it's a privilege, if you fail to deliver a performance you might not receive that opportunity again.

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

Manager stated: 'Good players don't need excuses'

After twenty-eight appearances on the flank, the player was given the number 15 role for the first time with multiple players injured.

In his case, it was essentially a case of continuing where he left off during the warmer months.

The 28-year-old had been in superb form before injury disrupted his dream of joining the Test squad.

After come back last month, he developed a lower body injury that ruled him out for earlier fixtures.

Farrell had suggested that Hansen was especially motivated and these turned out to be not hollow statements as the ex- club player gave his coach a positive team dilemma for future matches.

"So my initial thoughts were, 'You better perform excellently in those different coloured boots!'," said Farrell, referring to Hansen's choice to sport different footwear.

"In fact I believed that was fitting but apparently Mack just made that personally regardless. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I said to him before the game, 'Good players don't need 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 prepares thoroughly, he's has a excellent approach to understand his preparation and thus that's why he fitted straight back in and he was capable to be himself due to that."

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

"In my view he was super, his knowledge showed to the front," said the ex- national coach.

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

Pressed about what makes Hansen a strong fit at the number 15 position, the coach continued: "Appearing in the middle of the pitch is something that he demonstrates from the wing anyway, but I suppose he's better in place for that more often.

"The player's aerial work was brilliant, don't you think? I believed we didn't get bored of executing the right thing and that was putting the ball back on them to secure field position.

"Why that was the correct thing to do is because it's the likes of Mackie who was getting the possessions back, and additional teammates, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

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

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his comeback to the fly-half position, the set piece and throw-in operated effectively and another player did not look uncomfortable in his first appearance in the front row.

But perhaps most pleasing for Farrell was Ireland framing the match with two impressive spells.

The player's initial two tries occurred in the first eleven minutes while other teammates registered in the final stages after the other team had scored, guaranteeing the Irish team concluded on a high.

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

"How we managed various elements during the game, especially the opposition responding just before the break and regathering ourselves and giving a display like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as field position and being across most of our game in that later period was really satisfying."

The might of South Africa are next up for the team, in what could be viewed as an informal decider to the previous season's tied two-Test contest on rival soil.

Farrell's team will need to attain another standard to beat the consecutive title holders, but the recent victory of the Wallabies was a significant advancement in the correct direction after an disappointing beginning to their fall campaign.