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Following their previous underwhelming performance against the Japanese team, the head coach told his Ireland squad to step up their performance.

Ireland responded right away.

The Irish side had faded in the final stages against New Zealand and taken considerable time to get going versus their Asian opponents.

However, against the Wallabies, they began powerfully, with Mack Hansen excelling most prominently during a 46-19 triumph that marked Ireland's finest display this year.

Making his debut test match start at the number 15 position, the player scored a three tries, contested brilliantly for high balls and played outstandingly against the country of his origin.

"You know, I've experienced a pretty difficult period with fitness issues honestly," the athlete commented.

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

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

"My entire approach this period was to go out and do what I could do."

Coach declared: 'Good players require no justifications'

After 28 caps on the flank, Hansen was entrusted the number 15 position for the first time with multiple teammates unavailable.

In his case, it was simply a case of picking up where he finished during the summer.

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

After returned recently, he developed a foot injury that ruled him out for earlier matches.

Farrell had indicated that Hansen was particularly motivated and these proved not empty words as the former club player gave his manager a positive team dilemma for upcoming matches.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You need to perform excellently in those two colored shoes!'," commented the coach, referring to the player's choice to sport different footwear.

"Actually I thought that was fitting but apparently Hansen 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 play naturally, you can win the player of the game if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yes, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that kind of performer, he prepares thoroughly, he's got a excellent attitude to understand his detail and so that's why he slotted straight into the team and he was able to perform naturally due to that."

The player's efforts also earned praise from the rival coach, who remarked he was the "standout Australian performer" on the night.

"In my view he was outstanding, his experience showed to the fore," said the former national manager.

"Regrettably, Mack was likely the best Australian player on the pitch. He's has a great skillset and he's such a strong competitor."

When asked about what makes Hansen a good fit at the number 15 position, the coach continued: "Appearing in the center of the pitch is a trait that he does from the wing anyway, 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 approach and that was putting the possession back on them to secure field position.

"Why that was the right strategy to do is since it's the likes of Mackie who was getting the possessions returned, and other teammates, so [it's] quite pleasing."

Beyond Hansen, there were numerous encouraging aspects for the coach.

Another player was outstanding on his return to the fly-half position, the set piece and throw-in operated effectively and another teammate did not appear uncomfortable in his debut start in the forwards.

But possibly more satisfying for Farrell was Ireland bookending the game with two strong periods.

The player's first couple of scores occurred in the opening eleven minutes while other players registered in the closing exchanges after the other team had crossed, ensuring the home team concluded on a positive note.

"In my opinion we really performed freely and attacked the game right from the beginning," said Farrell.

"The way we managed numerous aspects during the game, particularly them coming back just before half-time and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we did in the later stages, I believed as far as field position and being across most of our strategy in that second half was truly satisfying."

The strength 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 contest on rival territory.

The coach's side will need to reach another level to beat the back-to-back world champions, but Saturday's victory of the Wallabies was a important advancement in the right path after an disappointing beginning to their fall campaign.