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

Ireland listened right away.

Ireland had faded in the final stages against New Zealand and taken most of the match to find their rhythm versus Japan.

However, facing the Wallabies, they began powerfully, with Mack Hansen excelling brightest during a comprehensive victory that marked Ireland's finest performance this year.

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.

"Look, I've had a fairly challenging period with injuries honestly," Hansen stated.

"I missed being in this team, I understand there's considerable discussion about me not necessarily being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this team and this seems like home.

"Whenever I get to represent for the national team it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a performance you might not receive that opportunity again.

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

Coach declared: 'Excellent athletes require no justifications'

After 28 caps on the flank, Hansen was given the number 15 position for the first time with multiple teammates unavailable.

For him, it was essentially a matter of picking up where he finished during the warmer months.

The experienced player had been in excellent form before physical issues ended his aspiration of joining the international squad.

After come back last month, he developed a lower body problem that made him unavailable for previous fixtures.

The coach had indicated that Hansen was especially determined and these proved not hollow words as the former provincial player gave his manager a positive selection headache for future games.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You need to perform excellently in those two colored boots!'," commented Farrell, alluding to Hansen's decision to sport mismatched boots.

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

"I told to him before the game, 'Excellent players don't need justifications, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can win the man of the match if you choose,' and he went, 'Yes, I concur.'

"So he's that type of performer, he prepares thoroughly, he's got a excellent approach to get across his preparation and thus that's why he fitted straight into the team and he was capable to be himself due to that."

The player's efforts also received commendation from the rival manager, who stated he was the "exceptional opposition player" on the night.

"In my view he was super, his knowledge was evident to the front," commented the former international coach.

"Regrettably, Hansen was probably the standout Australian performer on the field. He's got a excellent ability and he's such a strong competitor."

When asked about what makes Hansen a strong fit at the number 15 position, the coach continued: "Showing up in the center of the pitch is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing anyway, but I suppose he's more in place for that more often.

"His high ball work was brilliant, don't you think? I thought we didn't get bored of doing the right approach and that was placing the ball again 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 getting the possessions back, and additional players, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Outside Hansen, there were multiple positives for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his comeback to the fly-half position, the scrum and line-out functioned effectively and different teammate did not appear out of place in his debut start in the front row.

But possibly most satisfying for Farrell was the team bookending the game with two strong spells.

Hansen's initial two scores came in the first 11 minutes while other teammates registered in the closing stages after the opposition had crossed, guaranteeing the home team finished on a high.

"In my opinion we really performed freely and approached the match right from the beginning," stated Farrell.

"How we managed various aspects throughout the game, particularly them coming back just before half-time and regathering ourselves and giving a display like we did in the later stages, I believed as far as field position and being across the majority of our game in that second half was truly satisfying."

The strength of South Africa are next up for the team, in what might be considered as an unofficial conclusion to the previous season's drawn multiple match contest on opposition territory.

The coach's team will require to attain a higher level to beat the consecutive world champions, but the recent defeat of the Wallabies was a important advancement in the correct path after an disappointing start to their autumn schedule.