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Following their previous disappointing showing against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell told his Irish squad to step up their game.

The team responded right away.

The Irish side had struggled late against the All Blacks and required most of the match to find their rhythm versus Japan.

Nevertheless, facing the Wallabies, they began powerfully, with Mack Hansen shining most prominently during a comprehensive victory that marked Ireland's best performance this year.

Making his debut international appearance at full-back, the player scored a three tries, contested brilliantly for high balls and performed outstandingly against the nation of his birth.

"You know, I've experienced a pretty challenging period with fitness issues really," Hansen commented.

"I longed for being in this team, I understand there's much talk about me not exactly being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this team and this seems like home.

"Any time I get to play for Ireland it's a honor, if you don't put in a good showing you might not receive that opportunity again.

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

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

After 28 appearances on the flank, Hansen was given the full-back position for the initial time with several players unavailable.

For him, it was simply a case of continuing where he left off during the warmer months.

The experienced player had been in excellent form before physical issues disrupted his aspiration of making the international squad.

Having returned recently, he suffered a foot problem that made him unavailable for earlier fixtures.

The coach had indicated that the player was particularly motivated and these turned out to be not empty words as the former club player gave his manager a welcome selection headache for future games.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You better play excellently in those two coloured boots!'," commented Farrell, referring to the player's choice to wear mismatched boots.

"In fact I believed that was fitting but apparently Mack just made that personally regardless. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even started.

"I said to him before the match, 'Good players don't need 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, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"So he's that type of performer, he prepares well, he's got a great attitude to understand his preparation and thus that's why he fitted straight into the team and he was able to perform naturally due to that."

The player's performance also received commendation from the rival manager, who stated he was the "standout opposition player" on the night.

"I thought he was outstanding, his knowledge was evident to the fore," said the ex- international manager.

"Regrettably, Mack was probably the standout Australian performer on the field. He's got a excellent ability and he's such a good contender."

When asked about what makes the player a strong option at full-back, the coach continued: "Appearing in the middle of the pitch is a trait that he does from the wing regardless, but I imagine he's better in position for that more often.

"His aerial play was excellent, wasn't it? I thought we didn't get bored of doing the right thing and that was putting the ball back on them to secure territory.

"The reason that was the correct thing to do is since it's the likes of Hansen who was securing the possessions returned, and additional teammates, so [it's] quite pleasing."

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

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his comeback to the fly-half position, the set piece and throw-in operated effectively and another player did not appear out of place in his first start in the forwards.

But possibly more satisfying for Farrell was the team bookending the match with two impressive spells.

The player's first couple of scores occurred in the opening 11 minutes while other teammates scored in the final stages after the opposition had scored, ensuring the home side finished on a high.

"In my opinion we really performed freely and approached the match right from the beginning," stated Farrell.

"The way we handled numerous elements during the match, especially them coming back just before the break and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we achieved in the later stages, I thought as far as territory and being across the majority of our strategy in that second half was really satisfying."

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

The coach's team will require to reach another level to beat the consecutive title holders, but the recent victory of the Australian team was a significant step in the right direction after an disappointing beginning to their fall campaign.