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Following their previous underwhelming performance against Japan, Andy Farrell told his Irish team to step up their performance.

The team listened immediately.

The Irish side had struggled late against New Zealand and required most of the match to get going versus Japan.

However, against the Wallabies, they started powerfully, with Mack Hansen shining brightest during a comprehensive triumph that represented Ireland's finest display of the season.

Making his debut international start at the number 15 position, the player scored a three tries, competed excellently for high balls and performed outstandingly against the nation of his origin.

"Look, I've had a pretty challenging run with injuries really," Hansen commented.

"I longed for being in this team, I understand there's much discussion about me not exactly being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this group and this seems like family.

"Any time I get to represent for the national team it's a privilege, if you fail to deliver a good showing you might not receive that opportunity again.

"My whole approach this week was to go out and do what I can do."

Coach declared: 'Excellent players don't need justifications'

After twenty-eight appearances on the wing, the player was given the full-back role for the first time with multiple teammates injured.

In his case, it was essentially a matter of picking up where he finished during the summer.

The 28-year-old had been in excellent form before physical issues disrupted his aspiration of making the international squad.

Having come back last month, he suffered a foot problem that made him unavailable for previous fixtures.

The coach had indicated that Hansen was especially determined and these proved not empty words as the ex- provincial player gave his manager a welcome selection headache for future matches.

"Well my first reaction were, 'You need to perform well in those different colored shoes!'," said the coach, referring to Hansen's choice to wear different footwear.

"In fact I thought that was appropriate but it seems Mack just made that himself regardless. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the game, 'Good athletes don't need excuses, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can get the player of the game if you choose,' and he went, 'Yes, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that kind of performer, he trains well, he's has a excellent approach to get across his detail and so that's why he slotted straight into the team and he was able to be himself due to that."

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

"In my view he was super, his knowledge showed to the fore," commented the ex- national manager.

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

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

"The player's high ball work was brilliant, wasn't it? I thought we persisted of doing the correct thing and that was placing the ball back on them to secure territory.

"Why that was the correct thing to do is since it's the players of Mackie who was getting the possessions returned, and additional players, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Beyond the star performer, there were numerous positives for Farrell.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his comeback to the fly-half jersey, the set piece and throw-in functioned smoothly and different player did not appear uncomfortable in his debut start in the front row.

But perhaps more satisfying for the manager was Ireland framing the match with two impressive spells.

The player's first two scores occurred in the opening eleven moments while additional teammates registered in the closing exchanges after the other team had scored, ensuring the Irish side finished on a positive note.

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

"The way we handled various aspects throughout the match, particularly them responding just before half-time and regathering ourselves and producing a display like we did in the second half, I thought as far as field position and being across the majority of our strategy in that second half was really pleasing."

The strength of South Africa are awaiting for the team, in what could be considered as an informal conclusion to last year's drawn multiple match series on rival soil.

Farrell's team will need to reach a higher level to beat the consecutive title holders, but the recent defeat of the Wallabies was a significant advancement in the correct path after an disappointing beginning to their fall campaign.