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Following last week's underwhelming performance against Japan, the head coach challenged his Ireland team to improve their performance.

Ireland responded immediately.

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

Nevertheless, facing the Wallabies, they started powerfully, with Mack Hansen shining brightest during a comprehensive victory that marked Ireland's best display this year.

In his first international start at the number 15 position, Hansen registered a three tries, competed excellently for aerial challenges and played exceptionally against the nation of his origin.

"You know, I've had a fairly challenging period with fitness issues really," the athlete stated.

"I missed being in this team, I understand there's much discussion about me not necessarily being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore 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 may not receive that opportunity again.

"My entire focus this period was to go out and perform what I can do."

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

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

In his case, it was essentially a case of continuing where he finished during the summer.

The 28-year-old had been in superb condition before physical issues ended his aspiration of joining the Test team.

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

The coach had suggested that the player was particularly determined and these proved not empty statements as the ex- provincial player gave his coach a welcome team headache for future games.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You need to perform well in those different coloured boots!'," commented the coach, referring to Hansen's decision to wear different boots.

"In fact I thought that was appropriate but it seems Hansen just made that personally regardless. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes require no justifications, they can perform and just be themselves, you can win the man of the match if you choose,' and he went, 'Yes, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that kind of performer, he trains thoroughly, he's has a excellent approach to get across his preparation and so that's why he slotted right back in and he was capable to be himself due to that."

The player's performance also received praise from the rival manager, who stated he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the evening.

"In my view he was super, his knowledge was evident to the front," said the ex- national coach.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was likely the best opposition performer on the field. He's has a excellent skillset and he's such a strong competitor."

When asked about what enables the player a good option at full-back, the coach continued: "Showing up in the center of the pitch is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing regardless, but I imagine he's more in position for that more often.

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

"Why that was the right strategy to do is because it's the players of Mackie who was securing the balls returned, and other players, so [it's] quite pleasing."

Outside Hansen, there were multiple positives for the coach.

Another player was outstanding on his return to the number 10 position, the scrum and throw-in functioned smoothly and different teammate did not look uncomfortable in his debut appearance in the front row.

But possibly more satisfying for the manager was Ireland bookending the game with multiple strong periods.

The player's first two scores came in the first eleven moments while additional players registered in the closing exchanges after the opposition had scored, ensuring the Irish side concluded on a positive note.

"In my opinion we truly let ourselves go and approached the match right from the word go," stated the coach.

"How we managed numerous elements during the match, particularly them coming back just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and giving a performance like we achieved in the later stages, I thought as far as territory and being familiar with most of our strategy in that second half was really pleasing."

The might of South Africa are next up for Ireland, in what might be viewed as an informal decider to last year's tied multiple match contest on rival soil.

Farrell's side will require to reach another standard to defeat the consecutive world champions, but the recent victory of the Australian team was a significant advancement in the correct path after an uninspiring beginning to their autumn schedule.