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Following their previous underwhelming performance against Japan, Andy Farrell told his Irish team to improve their game.

The team listened right away.

Ireland had struggled late against New Zealand and taken most of the match to get going versus their Asian opponents.

However, facing the Wallabies, they started strongly, with Mack Hansen shining most prominently during a comprehensive triumph that marked Ireland's best performance this year.

In his first test match appearance at full-back, Hansen scored a three tries, competed excellently for high balls and played outstandingly against the nation of his origin.

"You know, I've experienced a pretty challenging period with fitness issues really," the athlete commented.

"I longed for being in this squad, I know there's considerable discussion about me not exactly being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this team and this seems like home.

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

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

Coach declared: 'Good athletes require no excuses'

Following twenty-eight appearances on the wing, Hansen was given the number 15 role for the initial time with several teammates injured.

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

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

Having come back recently, he suffered a foot problem that made him unavailable for previous fixtures.

The coach had indicated that the player was especially determined and these turned out to be not hollow statements as the ex- club player gave his coach a positive team headache for upcoming matches.

"Well my initial thoughts were, 'You need to perform excellently in those two coloured shoes!'," said the coach, referring to Hansen's choice to wear different boots.

"Actually I believed that was appropriate but it seems Mack just made that personally regardless. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the game, 'Good players don't need excuses, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can win the man of the match if you want,' and he went, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that type of player, he trains well, he's has a excellent attitude to understand his preparation and so that's why he fitted straight back in and he was capable to perform naturally due to that."

The player's efforts also received praise from the opposing coach, who remarked he was the "exceptional Australian performer" on the night.

"I thought he was super, his knowledge showed to the front," said the ex- international coach.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was probably the standout Australian performer on the field. He's has a excellent skillset and he's such a good competitor."

When asked about what enables the player a good fit at the number 15 position, the coach added: "Showing up in the middle of the pitch is something that he demonstrates from the flank anyway, but I imagine he's more in position for that frequently.

"His aerial play was excellent, wasn't it? I believed we didn't get bored of doing the correct approach and that was placing the ball again on them to secure field position.

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

Beyond Hansen, there were multiple encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Another player was outstanding on his return to the fly-half position, the scrum and throw-in operated smoothly and different teammate did not appear uncomfortable in his first appearance in the front row.

But possibly most satisfying for Farrell was the team framing the game with two impressive periods.

The player's first two scores came in the opening eleven moments while additional teammates scored in the final exchanges after the opposition had crossed, guaranteeing the Irish team finished on a positive note.

"I thought we really let ourselves go and attacked the match straight from the beginning," stated Farrell.

"How we handled numerous aspects during the match, particularly the opposition coming back just before the break and regathering ourselves and giving a performance like we achieved in the later stages, I thought as far as field position and being familiar with the majority of our game in that later period was truly satisfying."

The strength of the Springboks are awaiting for Ireland, in what could be viewed as an informal decider to last year's drawn two-Test contest on opposition soil.

Farrell's side will need to attain a higher level to defeat the back-to-back title holders, but the recent defeat of the Wallabies was a important advancement in the right direction after an disappointing beginning to their fall schedule.