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Following their previous underwhelming showing against Japan, the head coach told his Ireland squad to improve their performance.

The team listened right away.

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

Nevertheless, against the Wallabies, they began powerfully, with Mack Hansen excelling most prominently during a comprehensive victory that represented Ireland's finest performance of the season.

Making his debut test match appearance at the number 15 position, Hansen registered a three tries, competed brilliantly for high balls and performed outstandingly against the nation of his birth.

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

"I longed for being in this squad, I know there's much talk about me not necessarily being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this group and this feels like home.

"Any time I get to play for Ireland it's a honor, if you don't put in a performance you may not get that privilege again.

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

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

Following 28 caps on the flank, Hansen was given the full-back role for the first time with several players unavailable.

In his case, it was essentially a matter of picking up where he finished during the summer.

The experienced player had been in excellent form before injury ended his aspiration of joining the Test squad.

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

Farrell had indicated that the player was particularly motivated and these proved not hollow statements as the former club player gave his coach a positive selection dilemma for upcoming games.

"So my first reaction were, 'You need to perform excellently in those different coloured boots!'," commented Farrell, referring to Hansen's decision to wear different footwear.

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

"I told to him before the game, 'Excellent players don't need justifications, they can perform and just play naturally, you can get the man of the match if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yes, I agree.'

"So he's that kind of performer, he prepares thoroughly, he's has a great approach to understand his preparation and thus that's why he slotted right into the team and he was capable to be himself because of that."

Hansen's efforts also earned commendation from the opposing coach, who stated he was the "standout Australian performer" on the evening.

"I thought he was outstanding, his knowledge showed to the fore," commented the former international coach.

"Regrettably, Mack was probably the standout Australian performer on the pitch. He's got a great skillset and he's such a strong competitor."

When asked about what enables the player a good fit at full-back, the coach added: "Showing up in the middle of the field is something that he demonstrates from the flank regardless, but I imagine he's more in place for that more often.

"His aerial work was brilliant, don't you think? I believed we didn't get bored of executing the right thing and that was placing the possession again on them to secure field position.

"Why that was the right strategy to do is since it's the likes of Hansen who was securing the possessions back, and other players, so [it's] quite pleasing."

Outside the star performer, there were multiple positives for Farrell.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his comeback to the fly-half position, the scrum and throw-in operated effectively and different teammate did not look uncomfortable in his first appearance in the forwards.

But possibly more pleasing for Farrell was the team bookending the game with multiple strong spells.

Hansen's first couple of scores came in the opening 11 minutes while additional teammates registered in the closing exchanges after the other team had crossed, guaranteeing the home team finished on a high.

"In my opinion we really let ourselves go and attacked the game right from the beginning," stated Farrell.

"The way we handled numerous aspects during the game, particularly them coming back just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and giving a display like we achieved in the later stages, I believed as far as field position and being familiar with most of our game in that later period was truly satisfying."

The strength of South Africa are next up for Ireland, in what could be viewed as an informal decider to last year's drawn multiple match series on opposition soil.

The coach's team will need to attain a higher level to defeat the consecutive title holders, but the recent defeat of the Wallabies was a important advancement in the right path after an disappointing beginning to their autumn schedule.