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Following their previous underwhelming showing against Japan, Andy Farrell told his Irish squad to improve their game.

The team responded immediately.

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

However, against Australia, they began powerfully, with Mack Hansen shining brightest during a comprehensive triumph that marked the team's finest performance of the season.

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

"You know, I've had a fairly difficult period with fitness issues honestly," Hansen stated.

"I missed being in this team, I understand there's much talk about me not exactly being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this team and this feels like home.

"Whenever I get to represent for Ireland it's a honor, if you don't put in a performance you may not receive that opportunity again.

"My entire approach this week was to take the field and do what I could do."

Manager declared: 'Excellent players require no justifications'

Following 28 caps on the flank, Hansen was entrusted the full-back position for the initial time with several players injured.

In his case, it was simply a case of picking up where he left off during the summer.

The 28-year-old had been in superb form before physical issues disrupted his dream of joining the Test team.

After returned last month, he suffered a lower body injury that made him unavailable for previous fixtures.

The coach had indicated that Hansen was especially determined and these turned out to be not hollow statements as the former provincial player gave his manager a welcome team headache for upcoming matches.

"So my first thoughts were, 'You need to play excellently in those two coloured boots!'," said the coach, alluding to Hansen's choice to wear mismatched footwear.

"In fact I thought that was fitting but it seems Hansen just did that personally regardless. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even begun.

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

"Therefore he's that kind of player, he prepares thoroughly, he's has a great attitude to get across his detail and thus that's why he fitted right back in and he was able to be himself because of that."

The player's efforts also received commendation from the rival coach, who remarked he was the "standout Australian player" on the night.

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

"Regrettably, Hansen was probably the best Australian player on the field. He's got a great ability and he's such a good contender."

Pressed about what enables the player a strong option at full-back, the coach added: "Showing up in the middle of the pitch is a trait that he does from the flank anyway, but I imagine he's better in place for that frequently.

"The player's high ball work was brilliant, don't you think? I thought we didn't get bored of executing the correct approach and that was placing the possession back on them to gain territory.

"The reason that was the correct thing to do is since it's the likes of Hansen who was securing the possessions back, and additional players, so [it's] quite satisfying."

Beyond the star performer, there were multiple encouraging aspects for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his return to the fly-half jersey, the scrum and line-out operated smoothly and another player did not appear uncomfortable in his debut appearance in the front row.

But possibly most satisfying for Farrell was Ireland bookending the game with two impressive periods.

Hansen's first couple of scores occurred in the first 11 moments while additional players scored in the closing stages after the other team had scored, guaranteeing the Irish team finished on a positive note.

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

"How we handled numerous elements during the game, particularly the opposition coming back just before half-time and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we did in the later stages, I thought as far as field position and being across most of our strategy in that later period was truly pleasing."

The strength of South Africa are next up for Ireland, in what might be considered as an informal conclusion to the previous season's tied multiple match series on opposition territory.

The coach's side will require to reach a higher standard to defeat the back-to-back world champions, but Saturday's victory of the Australian team was a significant step in the correct direction after an disappointing beginning to their autumn schedule.