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Following their previous underwhelming showing against Japan, Andy Farrell told his Ireland squad to step up their performance.

Ireland responded right away.

Ireland had faded late against the All Blacks and required most of the match to find their rhythm versus Japan.

Nevertheless, against Australia, they began powerfully, with Mack Hansen excelling most prominently during a comprehensive triumph that represented Ireland's best performance this year.

Making his debut test match start at full-back, the player scored a hat-trick, competed brilliantly for high balls and played outstandingly against the country of his birth.

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

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

"Any time I have to play for Ireland it's a privilege, if you fail to deliver a performance you may not receive that privilege again.

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

Coach declared: 'Good players require no justifications'

After 28 caps on the wing, Hansen was entrusted the full-back role for the first time with multiple teammates unavailable.

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

The 28-year-old had been in excellent condition before physical issues disrupted his dream of joining the Test squad.

After come back recently, he developed a foot problem that ruled him out for earlier fixtures.

The coach had suggested that the player was particularly determined and these turned out to be not hollow statements as the former club player gave his manager a welcome selection dilemma for future matches.

"So my first thoughts were, 'You better perform excellently in those different coloured shoes!'," said the coach, referring to the player's choice to wear mismatched boots.

"Actually I thought that was fitting but it seems Hansen just made that personally anyway. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the match, '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 want,' and he responded, 'Yes, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that kind of player, he trains thoroughly, he's got a excellent approach to get across his detail and thus that's why he fitted right into the team and he was capable to be himself because of that."

The player's efforts also earned praise from the rival manager, who remarked he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the evening.

"In my view he was super, his experience showed to the front," commented the ex- international coach.

"Unfortunately, Mack was likely the best Australian performer on the field. He's has a great ability and he's such a good competitor."

When asked about what enables Hansen a strong fit at the number 15 position, Farrell continued: "Appearing in the center of the field is something that he demonstrates from the wing regardless, but I imagine he's more in position for that frequently.

"His high ball play was brilliant, don't you think? I believed we persisted of executing the correct approach and that was putting the ball back on them to secure territory.

"Why that was the right strategy to do is since it's the likes of Mackie who was securing the possessions back, and additional players, so [it's] quite pleasing."

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

Another player was excellent on his return to the number 10 jersey, the scrum and line-out operated effectively and another player did not appear out of place in his first appearance in the front row.

But possibly more satisfying for the manager was Ireland framing the game with multiple impressive periods.

Hansen's first two scores occurred in the first eleven minutes while additional teammates registered in the final exchanges after the other team had scored, guaranteeing the Irish team finished on a high.

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

"How we managed various 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 familiar with most of our game in that later period was truly satisfying."

The strength of the Springboks are next up for the team, in what might be considered as an informal decider to last year's drawn two-Test contest on opposition soil.

Farrell's team will need to attain another level to beat the back-to-back world champions, but Saturday's defeat of the Australian team was a important step in the right direction after an uninspiring start to their autumn schedule.