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Following last week's disappointing showing against the Japanese team, the head coach challenged his Ireland team to improve their game.

The team listened right away.

Ireland had faded in the final stages against New Zealand and required considerable time to get going versus their Asian opponents.

However, against the Wallabies, they started powerfully, with Mack Hansen shining most prominently during a 46-19 victory that represented Ireland's finest display this year.

In his first international appearance at full-back, Hansen scored a three tries, competed excellently for aerial challenges and played outstandingly against the country of his birth.

"You know, I've experienced a pretty challenging run with injuries honestly," Hansen stated.

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

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

"My whole focus this period was to take the field and perform what I could do."

Manager stated: 'Good athletes require no excuses'

After twenty-eight appearances on the wing, the player was entrusted the number 15 role for the first time with several players injured.

For him, it was essentially a case of continuing where he left off during the warmer months.

The experienced player had been in superb condition before physical issues ended his aspiration of joining the Test squad.

After returned recently, he developed a foot problem that made him unavailable for earlier matches.

The coach had indicated that Hansen was particularly determined and these proved not hollow statements as the former club player gave his manager a welcome team dilemma for upcoming matches.

"Well my initial thoughts were, 'You need to perform well in those two coloured boots!'," said Farrell, alluding to Hansen's decision to sport different footwear.

"Actually I believed that was appropriate but apparently Hansen just did that personally regardless. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes require no excuses, they can perform and just play naturally, you can get the player of the game if you want,' and he went, 'Yes, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that type of player, he trains well, he's got a excellent approach to get across his detail and so that's why he slotted right back in and he was capable to perform naturally because of that."

The player's efforts also earned commendation from the opposing coach, who remarked he was the "exceptional Australian performer" on the night.

"I thought he was super, his experience showed to the front," said the ex- international manager.

"Unfortunately, Mack was likely the standout Australian performer on the pitch. He's got a excellent ability and he's such a good contender."

Pressed about what makes Hansen a good fit at the number 15 position, the coach continued: "Appearing in the middle of the field is a trait that he does from the wing anyway, but I imagine he's better in position for that frequently.

"The player's high ball work was excellent, wasn't it? I thought we persisted of executing the right approach and that was putting the possession again on them to gain field position.

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

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

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his return to the fly-half position, the set piece and line-out operated smoothly and another teammate did not look out of place in his first appearance in the forwards.

But possibly more satisfying for the manager was Ireland bookending the game with two strong spells.

The player's first couple of tries came in the opening 11 moments while additional teammates scored in the final exchanges after the other team had scored, guaranteeing the Irish side finished on a high.

"I thought we really let ourselves go and approached the match straight from the beginning," stated Farrell.

"The way we managed numerous elements throughout the match, especially them responding just before the break and regathering ourselves and giving a display like we achieved in the later stages, I thought as far as territory and being familiar with most of our game in that second half was truly satisfying."

The might of the Springboks are awaiting for the team, in what might be considered as an informal decider to the previous season's tied multiple match series on opposition territory.

Farrell's team will require to reach a higher level to defeat the back-to-back title holders, but the recent defeat of the Wallabies was a important advancement in the right path after an disappointing start to their fall campaign.