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After their previous disappointing performance against the Japanese team, the head coach told his Irish squad to step up their performance.

The team responded immediately.

The Irish side had faded late against the All Blacks and required considerable time to find their rhythm versus Japan.

Nevertheless, facing the Wallabies, they began powerfully, with Mack Hansen shining brightest during a comprehensive triumph that represented Ireland's best performance this year.

In his first international appearance at the number 15 position, Hansen registered a three tries, contested brilliantly for aerial challenges and played outstandingly against the nation of his origin.

"Look, I've experienced a fairly challenging run with fitness issues really," Hansen stated.

"I missed being in this team, I know there's much discussion about me not necessarily being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this team and this feels like family.

"Whenever I get to play for the national team it's a privilege, if you don't put in a good showing you may not get that opportunity again.

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

Manager declared: 'Excellent players don't need excuses'

After 28 appearances on the flank, Hansen was entrusted the full-back role for the first time with multiple teammates injured.

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

The experienced player had been in excellent condition before physical issues disrupted his dream of joining the Test team.

Having returned recently, he developed a foot injury that ruled him out for earlier matches.

Farrell had indicated that the player was particularly determined and these proved not hollow statements as the former club player gave his coach a positive team headache for future games.

"Well my initial thoughts were, 'You need to play excellently in those two colored boots!'," said the coach, alluding to the player's choice to wear different footwear.

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

"I told to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes don't need justifications, they can perform and just be themselves, you can get the man of the match if you want,' and he went, 'Yes, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that kind of performer, he prepares well, he's got a excellent approach to understand his preparation and so that's why he fitted straight back in and he was capable to be himself because of that."

The player's performance also received praise from the rival coach, who stated he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the night.

"I thought he was super, his knowledge showed to the front," commented the former national coach.

"Regrettably, Hansen was likely the standout opposition player on the field. He's got a great ability and he's such a good competitor."

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

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

"The reason that was the correct strategy to do is because it's the players of Hansen who was securing the possessions returned, and other teammates, so [it's] quite pleasing."

Beyond Hansen, there were multiple encouraging aspects for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his comeback to the number 10 position, the scrum and throw-in operated smoothly and another player did not appear out of place in his debut appearance in the forwards.

But perhaps most satisfying for the manager was the team framing the game with two impressive periods.

The player's initial couple of scores occurred in the opening 11 minutes while additional players scored in the closing exchanges after the other team had crossed, ensuring the home side concluded on a high.

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

"The way we handled numerous elements during the match, especially the opposition coming back just before half-time and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we achieved in the later stages, I believed as far as field position and being familiar with the majority of our strategy in that later period was truly pleasing."

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

Farrell's side will require to reach a higher level to defeat the consecutive world champions, but the recent defeat of the Wallabies was a important advancement in the right path after an disappointing beginning to their autumn schedule.