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Following last week's disappointing performance against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell challenged his Ireland team to improve their game.

The team responded immediately.

The Irish side had struggled in the final stages against the All Blacks and taken considerable time to get going versus Japan.

Nevertheless, against the Wallabies, they began strongly, with Mack Hansen excelling most prominently during a comprehensive victory that represented the team's finest performance of the season.

In his debut test match appearance at the number 15 position, Hansen registered a three tries, competed excellently for aerial challenges and performed exceptionally against the country of his origin.

"Look, I've experienced a fairly challenging run with injuries honestly," the athlete commented.

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

"Any time I get to play for Ireland it's a privilege, if you fail to deliver a performance you may not receive that opportunity again.

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

Manager stated: 'Good players require no excuses'

Following 28 caps on the wing, Hansen was given the full-back position for the initial time with several players injured.

In his case, it was simply a case of continuing where he left off during the summer.

The experienced player had been in excellent condition before physical issues ended his dream of joining the international squad.

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

Farrell had indicated that Hansen was particularly motivated and these proved not hollow statements as the ex- club player gave his coach a positive team dilemma for future games.

"Well my initial reaction were, 'You need to perform well in those two coloured boots!'," commented Farrell, referring to the player's decision to sport different boots.

"Actually I thought that was appropriate but it seems Hansen just made that himself anyway. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even started.

"I said to him before the match, 'Good athletes don't need excuses, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can win the player of the game if you choose,' and he went, 'Yes, I concur.'

"So he's that kind of performer, he trains well, he's has a excellent approach to understand his preparation and so that's why he fitted straight into the team and he was able to perform naturally because of that."

Hansen's efforts also received praise from the opposing manager, who remarked he was the "standout Australian performer" on the evening.

"In my view he was super, his experience showed to the front," said the former international manager.

"Regrettably, Mack was likely the standout Australian performer on the pitch. He's got a great ability and he's such a strong contender."

When asked about what enables the player a good option at full-back, Farrell added: "Showing up in the middle of the pitch is something that he does from the flank anyway, but I suppose he's better in place for that more often.

"The player's aerial work was brilliant, wasn't it? I believed we persisted of doing the correct approach and that was putting the ball back on them to gain field position.

"Why that was the right thing to do is since it's the likes of Mackie who was getting the balls back, and other teammates, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Beyond Hansen, there were numerous positives for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his return to the fly-half jersey, the scrum and throw-in operated effectively and different player did not look uncomfortable in his first start in the front row.

But possibly more pleasing for the manager was Ireland framing the match with multiple strong spells.

Hansen's first couple of tries came in the opening eleven minutes while additional players registered in the final stages after the other team had crossed, ensuring the home side finished on a high.

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

"The way we managed numerous elements throughout the game, particularly the opposition responding just before half-time and regathering ourselves and giving a display like we achieved in the later stages, I believed as far as field position and being familiar with the majority of our game in that later period was truly pleasing."

The strength of South Africa are awaiting for the team, in what could be viewed as an unofficial conclusion to last year's tied two-Test series on opposition soil.

Farrell's side will need to reach a higher level to defeat the consecutive world champions, but the recent defeat of the Australian team was a significant advancement in the right direction after an uninspiring beginning to their autumn campaign.