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Following their previous disappointing showing against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell challenged his Irish squad to improve their game.

The team listened right away.

The Irish side had struggled in the final stages against New Zealand and required most of the match to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

However, facing the Wallabies, they began powerfully, with Mack Hansen shining brightest during a comprehensive triumph that marked the team's best performance this year.

In his debut international start at the number 15 position, Hansen registered a three tries, contested brilliantly for aerial challenges and played exceptionally against the nation of his birth.

"Look, I've experienced a fairly challenging run with fitness issues honestly," the athlete commented.

"I missed being in this team, I know there's considerable discussion about me not necessarily being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this team and this seems like home.

"Whenever 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 take the field and perform what I can do."

Coach declared: 'Excellent athletes require no excuses'

After 28 appearances on the flank, Hansen was entrusted the number 15 role for the initial time with multiple teammates unavailable.

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

The experienced player had been in superb condition before injury ended his dream of making the international team.

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

The coach had indicated that Hansen was particularly motivated and these turned out to be not empty statements as the former provincial player gave his coach a welcome selection headache for upcoming matches.

"So my first thoughts were, 'You better play excellently in those different coloured boots!'," said the coach, referring to the player's decision to sport different footwear.

"Actually I thought that was appropriate but apparently Hansen just did that himself anyway. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I said to him before the match, 'Good athletes require no justifications, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can win the man of the match if you want,' and he went, 'Yes, I concur.'

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

Hansen's efforts also earned commendation from the rival coach, who stated he was the "standout opposition performer" on the evening.

"In my view he was super, his experience showed to the front," commented the former national coach.

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

When asked about what makes Hansen a good option at the number 15 position, the coach continued: "Appearing in the center of the pitch is a trait that he does from the flank anyway, but I suppose he's more in position for that more often.

"His high ball work was excellent, don't you think? I thought we didn't get bored of executing the right thing and that was putting the possession back on them to secure field position.

"The reason that was the correct thing to do is because it's the likes of Mackie who was securing the balls back, and other teammates, so [it's] quite pleasing."

Outside the star performer, there were multiple positives for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his return to the number 10 jersey, the set piece and line-out operated smoothly and another teammate did not look uncomfortable in his debut start in the forwards.

But perhaps more satisfying for Farrell was Ireland framing the match with multiple impressive periods.

Hansen's initial couple of tries occurred in the opening 11 moments while additional players registered in the closing stages after the opposition had crossed, ensuring the home side finished on a positive note.

"I thought we truly performed freely and approached the game right from the word go," stated Farrell.

"The way we handled various elements throughout the match, particularly them responding just before half-time and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we did in the later stages, I believed as far as territory and being familiar with most of our strategy in that second half was really satisfying."

The might of the Springboks are awaiting for the team, in what could be considered as an informal conclusion to last year's drawn two-Test series on opposition soil.

The coach's side will need to reach a higher level to defeat the back-to-back title holders, but Saturday's victory of the Wallabies was a important step in the correct direction after an disappointing start to their fall schedule.