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After last week's disappointing showing against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell challenged his Ireland squad to step up their performance.

Ireland listened immediately.

Ireland had struggled in the final stages against the All Blacks and taken most of the match to get going versus Japan.

However, facing Australia, they began powerfully, with Mack Hansen excelling brightest during a 46-19 triumph that represented Ireland's finest performance of the season.

Making his first international appearance at the number 15 position, the player registered a hat-trick, competed excellently for high balls and played outstandingly against the nation of his birth.

"Look, I've experienced a pretty difficult period with fitness issues honestly," the athlete stated.

"I longed for being in this squad, I understand there's considerable discussion about me not exactly being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this group and this feels like family.

"Any time I have to represent for Ireland it's a honor, if you don't put in a good showing you may not receive that opportunity again.

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

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

Following twenty-eight appearances on the flank, the player was given the full-back role for the first time with several players unavailable.

For him, it was simply a case of continuing where he finished during the warmer months.

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

After returned recently, he developed a lower body injury that ruled him out for previous matches.

Farrell had indicated that Hansen was particularly determined and these turned out to be not empty statements as the ex- club player gave his coach a welcome team dilemma for future games.

"Well my initial reaction were, 'You need to play well in those different colored boots!'," said the coach, referring to Hansen's decision to wear different footwear.

"In fact I thought that was appropriate but apparently Mack just did that personally anyway. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even started.

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

"Therefore he's that type of player, he trains well, he's got a excellent attitude to understand his preparation and so that's why he fitted right into the team and he was capable to be himself due to that."

Hansen's efforts also received praise from the opposing coach, who remarked he was the "standout opposition player" on the evening.

"I thought he was outstanding, his knowledge was evident to the fore," said the former national manager.

"Regrettably, Mack was likely the standout opposition player on the pitch. He's got a excellent ability and he's such a good competitor."

Pressed about what makes Hansen a strong option at full-back, Farrell added: "Showing up in the middle of the field is something that he does from the flank regardless, but I imagine he's better in position for that more often.

"His aerial work was brilliant, wasn't it? I thought we persisted of executing the right thing and that was putting the possession back on them to gain field position.

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

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

Another player was outstanding on his comeback to the number 10 position, the set piece and throw-in operated effectively and different player did not look uncomfortable in his first start in the front row.

But perhaps most pleasing for Farrell was Ireland bookending the match with two impressive periods.

The player's initial couple of scores occurred in the first 11 moments while other players scored in the final stages after the other team had crossed, ensuring the home side concluded on a high.

"In my opinion we really let ourselves go and attacked the match straight from the word go," said the coach.

"How we managed numerous elements throughout the game, especially the opposition responding just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and giving a performance like we achieved in the later stages, I believed as far as field position and being across the majority of our game in that later period was truly satisfying."

The strength of South Africa are next up for Ireland, in what might be considered as an unofficial decider to last year's tied multiple match series on rival territory.

The coach's side will require to reach a higher level to beat the consecutive title holders, but Saturday's victory of the Australian team was a significant step in the right direction after an uninspiring start to their autumn schedule.