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Following last week's underwhelming performance against Japan, Andy Farrell told his Irish team to step up their game.

Ireland responded right away.

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

Nevertheless, facing Australia, they started strongly, with Mack Hansen excelling brightest during a comprehensive triumph that marked the team's finest display of the season.

Making his first test match appearance at full-back, Hansen registered a three tries, contested brilliantly for high balls and played outstandingly against the nation of his origin.

"Look, I've had a pretty difficult run with fitness issues honestly," Hansen stated.

"I longed for being in this team, I know there's much talk about me not exactly being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this team and this seems like family.

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

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

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

After 28 appearances on the flank, the player was given the number 15 position for the first time with multiple teammates injured.

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

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

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

Farrell had indicated that the player was particularly motivated and these turned out to be not empty statements as the former club player gave his manager a positive selection headache for upcoming games.

"Well my initial thoughts were, 'You better play well in those different colored shoes!'," said the coach, alluding to Hansen's decision to sport different boots.

"Actually I thought that was fitting but apparently Hansen just did that personally regardless. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even started.

"I said to him before the game, 'Excellent players require no excuses, they can perform and just be themselves, you can get the player of the game if you want,' and he went, 'Yes, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that type of performer, he prepares thoroughly, he's got a great approach to understand his preparation and thus that's why he fitted straight back in and he was able to be himself due to that."

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

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

"Unfortunately, Mack was probably the standout Australian performer on the field. He's got a excellent skillset and he's such a strong competitor."

When asked about what enables the player a good option at the number 15 position, the coach continued: "Showing up in the middle of the pitch is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing anyway, but I suppose he's better in position for that more often.

"His high ball play was excellent, wasn't it? I believed we persisted of doing the right approach and that was putting the ball again on them to secure territory.

"The reason that was the correct strategy to do is since it's the players of Hansen who was getting the possessions back, and other players, so [it's] quite pleasing."

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

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

But possibly more pleasing for the manager was Ireland framing the match with multiple impressive spells.

The player's first two scores came in the first eleven minutes while other players registered in the closing exchanges after the opposition had crossed, ensuring the Irish team finished on a positive note.

"In my opinion we truly let ourselves go and approached the game straight from the beginning," stated Farrell.

"How we managed numerous aspects during the match, particularly the opposition coming back just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and giving a display like we did in the second half, I thought as far as field position and being across the majority of our game in that second half was really pleasing."

The strength of the Springboks are next up for the team, in what might be viewed as an unofficial decider to the previous season's tied multiple match series on opposition territory.

The coach's side will require to attain a higher level to defeat the consecutive world champions, but Saturday's victory of the Wallabies was a significant step in the right path after an disappointing beginning to their autumn schedule.