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Following last week's underwhelming showing against the Japanese team, the head coach told his Ireland team to step up their performance.

The team responded right away.

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

Nevertheless, facing the Wallabies, they began strongly, with Mack Hansen shining most prominently during a comprehensive triumph that marked the team's best display this year.

Making his debut test match start at the number 15 position, Hansen scored a three tries, contested excellently for high balls and played outstandingly against the nation of his origin.

"You know, I've had a fairly challenging run with injuries honestly," Hansen commented.

"I missed being in this squad, I know there's much discussion about me not necessarily being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this group and this seems like family.

"Any time I have to play for the national team it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a good showing you may not get that opportunity again.

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

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

Following 28 appearances on the wing, the player was given the full-back position for the initial time with multiple players injured.

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

The experienced player had been in excellent condition before injury ended his aspiration of making the Test team.

Having come back recently, he developed a lower body problem that made him unavailable for previous fixtures.

Farrell had suggested that the player was particularly determined and these proved not empty statements as the former provincial player gave his coach a welcome selection dilemma for upcoming games.

"So my initial thoughts were, 'You better perform excellently in those different coloured shoes!'," commented the coach, alluding to the player's choice to sport mismatched footwear.

"Actually I believed that was fitting but it seems Hansen just did that personally anyway. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even started.

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

"So he's that kind of player, he prepares well, he's has a excellent approach to get across his preparation and thus that's why he fitted straight back in and he was able to be himself due to that."

The player's efforts also earned praise from the rival manager, who stated he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the evening.

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

"Unfortunately, Hansen was likely the best opposition performer on the pitch. He's has a excellent skillset and he's such a strong competitor."

Pressed about what makes Hansen a strong fit at the number 15 position, Farrell added: "Appearing in the center of the field is a trait that he demonstrates from the flank anyway, but I imagine he's better in position for that more often.

"The player's high ball work was excellent, wasn't it? I thought we didn't get bored of executing the right thing and that was placing the possession back on them to gain territory.

"The reason that was the right strategy to do is because it's the likes of Mackie who was securing the balls returned, and additional players, so [it's] quite pleasing."

Outside Hansen, there were numerous encouraging aspects for the coach.

Another player was outstanding on his return to the fly-half position, the scrum and line-out functioned smoothly and different player did not appear out of place in his debut start in the forwards.

But perhaps most satisfying for Farrell was Ireland framing the game with multiple strong spells.

Hansen's initial couple of scores occurred in the first eleven minutes while additional players scored in the final exchanges after the opposition had crossed, guaranteeing the home team finished on a high.

"In my opinion we really performed freely and approached the game right from the word go," stated the coach.

"How we handled numerous elements during the game, particularly them responding just before the break and regathering ourselves and producing a display like we achieved in the later stages, I believed as far as territory and being across most of our strategy in that later period was really pleasing."

The strength of South Africa are awaiting for the team, in what could be considered as an unofficial decider to the previous season's tied multiple match series on opposition territory.

Farrell's side will need to reach a higher level to beat the consecutive world champions, but Saturday's victory of the Australian team was a significant step in the right path after an disappointing beginning to their autumn schedule.