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

Ireland listened right away.

The Irish side had faded in the final stages against New Zealand and taken most of the match to get going versus Japan.

However, against Australia, they began powerfully, with Mack Hansen excelling most prominently during a comprehensive victory that represented the team's best display this year.

Making his debut test match start at full-back, the player registered a three tries, contested brilliantly for aerial challenges and played exceptionally against the nation of his origin.

"You know, I've had a pretty challenging run with injuries really," Hansen commented.

"I longed for being in this team, I understand there's considerable talk about me not exactly being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this group and this seems like home.

"Whenever I get to play for the national team it's a privilege, if you don't put in a good showing you may not get that opportunity again.

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

Manager declared: 'Good players don't need excuses'

Following 28 appearances on the flank, Hansen was given the full-back role for the first time with multiple players injured.

For him, it was essentially a case of picking up where he finished during the warmer months.

The 28-year-old had been in superb condition before physical issues disrupted his dream of joining the international team.

Having returned recently, he suffered a lower body injury that ruled him out for earlier matches.

Farrell had suggested that Hansen was especially determined and these proved not empty statements as the ex- club player gave his coach a positive team dilemma for upcoming matches.

"So my initial thoughts were, 'You need to perform well in those two coloured shoes!'," commented Farrell, alluding to Hansen's decision to wear mismatched boots.

"In fact I believed that was fitting but it seems Mack just made that himself anyway. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I said to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes require no justifications, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can get the player of the game if you choose,' and he went, 'Yes, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that type of player, he prepares thoroughly, he's got a great approach to get across his preparation and so that's why he fitted right into the team and he was able to perform naturally due to that."

Hansen's efforts also received praise from the opposing coach, who remarked he was the "standout opposition performer" on the night.

"In my view he was outstanding, his knowledge showed to the front," said the former national coach.

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

When asked about what enables Hansen a good fit at the number 15 position, Farrell added: "Showing up in the middle of the field is a trait that he does from the flank regardless, but I suppose he's better in position for that frequently.

"His aerial play was excellent, wasn't it? I believed we persisted of doing the right thing and that was putting the ball back on them to secure field position.

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

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

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his return to the fly-half position, the set piece and line-out operated effectively and another player did not look uncomfortable in his debut start in the front row.

But perhaps most satisfying for Farrell was Ireland bookending the match with two strong spells.

The player's initial two scores came in the opening 11 moments while additional teammates scored in the final exchanges after the other team had crossed, ensuring the home team finished on a high.

"In my opinion we truly let ourselves go and attacked the game right from the word go," said Farrell.

"How we managed numerous elements throughout the game, especially the opposition coming back just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and producing a display like we did in the later stages, I believed 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 next up for Ireland, in what could be considered as an unofficial decider to last year's drawn multiple match contest on opposition territory.

Farrell's team will need to attain another standard to defeat the back-to-back world champions, but the recent victory of the Australian team was a important advancement in the correct path after an uninspiring start to their autumn campaign.