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

The team listened immediately.

Ireland had faded in the final stages against the All Blacks and required most of the match to find their rhythm versus Japan.

Nevertheless, facing the Wallabies, they began powerfully, with Mack Hansen shining brightest during a 46-19 victory that marked Ireland's best performance of the season.

Making his first test match start at the number 15 position, Hansen registered a three tries, contested brilliantly for high balls and played outstandingly against the country of his origin.

"You know, I've had a pretty difficult run with fitness issues honestly," the athlete stated.

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

"Any time I have to play for Ireland it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a performance you might not receive that opportunity again.

"My entire focus this period was to go out and do what I could do."

Manager stated: 'Excellent athletes don't need justifications'

After 28 appearances on the wing, Hansen was given the full-back position for the first time with multiple teammates unavailable.

In his case, it was simply a case of continuing where he finished during the summer.

The 28-year-old had been in excellent form before injury disrupted his dream of joining the international team.

Having come back last month, he developed a lower body problem that ruled him out for earlier matches.

Farrell had suggested that the player was particularly motivated and these proved not hollow statements as the former club player gave his manager a welcome selection headache for future games.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You need to play well in those two colored boots!'," commented the coach, referring to Hansen's choice to wear different boots.

"Actually I thought that was appropriate but apparently Mack just did that himself anyway. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I said to him before the match, 'Good athletes don't need justifications, they can perform and just play naturally, you can get the player of the game if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yes, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that kind of player, he prepares thoroughly, he's got a great attitude to get across his preparation and so that's why he slotted right into the team and he was able to perform naturally because of that."

Hansen's performance also earned praise from the opposing coach, who stated he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the evening.

"I thought he was super, his experience was evident to the front," said the ex- national coach.

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

Pressed about what enables 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 frequently.

"The player's high ball play was brilliant, don't you think? I thought we persisted of executing the correct approach and that was placing the ball back on them to gain field position.

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

Beyond Hansen, there were numerous positives for the coach.

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

But perhaps most pleasing for Farrell was the team bookending the match with two strong periods.

The player's initial two scores occurred in the opening eleven minutes while other teammates registered in the closing exchanges after the opposition had scored, ensuring the Irish team concluded on a positive note.

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

"The way we managed various elements throughout the game, especially the opposition responding just before half-time and regathering ourselves and giving a performance like we did in the second half, I believed as far as territory and being across the majority of our strategy in that second half was truly pleasing."

The might of the Springboks are next up for Ireland, in what might be considered as an informal conclusion to last year's drawn two-Test contest on rival soil.

The coach's side will require to attain a higher standard to defeat the consecutive title holders, but the recent defeat of the Australian team was a significant advancement in the right path after an uninspiring beginning to their autumn campaign.