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Following their previous underwhelming performance against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell challenged his Ireland squad to step up their game.

Ireland responded immediately.

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

Nevertheless, against the Wallabies, they started powerfully, with Mack Hansen shining most prominently during a comprehensive triumph that represented the team's best performance this year.

In his debut international appearance at full-back, Hansen scored a hat-trick, contested excellently for high balls and played outstandingly against the nation of his birth.

"Look, I've had a pretty difficult run with injuries really," the athlete commented.

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

"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 privilege again.

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

Manager stated: 'Good players require no excuses'

After twenty-eight caps on the wing, the player was entrusted the number 15 position for the first time with several teammates unavailable.

For him, it was simply a matter of picking up where he finished during the summer.

The experienced player had been in superb form before injury ended his aspiration of joining the international team.

Having come back recently, he developed a lower body injury that ruled him out for previous matches.

The coach had indicated that Hansen was especially determined and these proved not empty statements as the former provincial player gave his coach a positive team headache for future games.

"So my initial thoughts were, 'You need to perform well in those two coloured shoes!'," commented the coach, alluding to the player's decision to sport different footwear.

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

"I told to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes don't need excuses, they can perform and just be themselves, you can win the player of the game if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yes, I concur.'

"So he's that type of performer, he prepares well, he's got a great approach to get across his preparation and so that's why he slotted straight back in and he was able to perform naturally due to that."

The player's efforts also received praise from the opposing coach, who remarked he was the "exceptional opposition player" on the evening.

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

"Regrettably, Hansen was probably the standout Australian performer on the pitch. He's got a great ability and he's such a good contender."

Pressed about what enables Hansen a good option at full-back, Farrell added: "Appearing in the center of the field is something that he does from the wing anyway, but I suppose he's better in position for that more often.

"The player's high ball play was brilliant, wasn't it? I believed we persisted of executing the right approach and that was putting the possession again on them to gain territory.

"Why that was the correct strategy to do is because it's the likes of Hansen who was getting the balls returned, and other teammates, so [it's] quite pleasing."

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

Another player was excellent on his return to the number 10 position, the set piece and line-out operated effectively and another teammate did not look uncomfortable in his first start in the forwards.

But possibly more satisfying for Farrell was Ireland framing the game with multiple strong spells.

Hansen's first two tries came in the opening 11 minutes while additional teammates registered in the final exchanges after the opposition had scored, ensuring the Irish side concluded on a high.

"I thought we truly performed freely and approached the match straight from the word go," said the coach.

"How we handled numerous aspects throughout the game, particularly them responding just before the break and regathering ourselves and giving a display like we achieved in the later stages, I believed as far as field position and being across the majority of our strategy in that second half was truly satisfying."

The might of the Springboks are next up for the team, in what might be viewed as an informal conclusion to last year's tied two-Test series on rival territory.

The coach's side will require to reach another level to beat the consecutive title holders, but the recent victory of the Australian team was a significant advancement in the right path after an uninspiring beginning to their autumn campaign.