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Following last week's underwhelming showing against Japan, Andy Farrell challenged his Ireland squad to improve their game.

The team listened right away.

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

Nevertheless, against Australia, they started strongly, with Mack Hansen shining brightest during a 46-19 victory that marked Ireland's finest performance of the season.

In his first international start at the number 15 position, the player scored a three tries, competed brilliantly for high balls and performed outstandingly against the nation of his birth.

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

"I longed for being in this squad, I understand there's much discussion about me not necessarily being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this group and this seems like home.

"Any time I have to play for the national team it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a performance you may not get that opportunity again.

"My whole focus this week was to take the field and do what I can do."

Coach declared: 'Good athletes don't need justifications'

Following 28 appearances on the flank, Hansen was given the number 15 role for the first time with multiple teammates injured.

For him, it was simply a matter of continuing where he finished during the warmer months.

The 28-year-old had been in superb form before injury ended his dream of making the international squad.

Having come back last month, he suffered a lower body problem that ruled him out for earlier matches.

Farrell had indicated that the player was especially determined and these turned out to be not empty words as the ex- provincial player gave his coach a positive selection dilemma for future matches.

"So my initial thoughts were, 'You better perform excellently in those different colored shoes!'," commented the coach, referring to Hansen's decision to sport different footwear.

"Actually I thought that was appropriate but apparently Hansen just did that himself anyway. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the game, 'Excellent athletes require no excuses, they can perform and just be themselves, you can win the man of the match if you want,' and he went, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that type of player, he trains well, he's got a great approach to get across his detail and thus that's why he slotted right into the team and he was able to perform naturally due to that."

The player's efforts also earned praise from the opposing manager, who stated he was the "exceptional Australian performer" on the night.

"I thought he was outstanding, his experience showed to the front," said the former international coach.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was likely the best opposition player on the field. He's got a great skillset and he's such a strong contender."

When asked about what makes Hansen a strong fit at full-back, Farrell added: "Appearing in the center of the field is a trait that he does from the wing regardless, but I imagine he's more in position for that frequently.

"His high ball work was brilliant, wasn't it? I believed we persisted of doing the correct thing and that was putting the possession back on them to gain field position.

"Why that was the correct strategy to do is since it's the players of Hansen who was getting the balls back, and other teammates, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

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

Another player was outstanding on his comeback to the fly-half position, the set piece and throw-in functioned effectively and different teammate did not appear uncomfortable in his first appearance in the front row.

But possibly more pleasing for Farrell was the team framing the match with multiple strong spells.

The player's first two scores occurred in the first 11 moments while other players registered in the final exchanges after the other team had scored, ensuring the home team concluded on a positive note.

"In my opinion we truly performed freely and approached the match straight from the beginning," said Farrell.

"The way we managed various aspects during the match, particularly the opposition responding just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and producing a display like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as territory and being across most of our game in that second half was truly satisfying."

The might of South Africa are next up for the team, in what could be considered as an unofficial decider to last year's tied two-Test contest on opposition soil.

Farrell's side will require to reach another level to beat the back-to-back world champions, but the recent defeat of the Wallabies was a significant step in the right direction after an disappointing start to their fall schedule.