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

Ireland listened immediately.

The Irish side had struggled late against New Zealand and required most of the match to get going versus Japan.

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

In his debut test match appearance at full-back, Hansen scored a hat-trick, competed brilliantly for high balls and played exceptionally against the country of his origin.

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

"I missed being in this squad, I know there's much discussion about me not exactly being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this team and this seems like home.

"Whenever I get to represent for Ireland it's a honor, if you don't put in a good showing you may not receive that opportunity again.

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

Coach stated: 'Good athletes don't need excuses'

Following 28 appearances on the flank, Hansen was given the full-back position for the initial time with multiple teammates injured.

For him, it was simply a matter of picking up where he left off during the summer.

The 28-year-old had been in excellent condition before physical issues disrupted his aspiration of making the international squad.

After come back recently, he developed a lower body injury that ruled him out for previous fixtures.

The coach had indicated that Hansen was particularly motivated and these turned out to be not hollow statements as the former club player gave his coach a positive selection headache for upcoming matches.

"So my first reaction were, 'You need to perform excellently in those two colored shoes!'," commented the coach, alluding to Hansen's decision to wear mismatched boots.

"In fact I believed that was fitting but apparently Hansen just made that personally anyway. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I said to him before the game, 'Good athletes require no justifications, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can get the player of the game if you choose,' and he went, 'Yes, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that type of player, he trains thoroughly, he's has a excellent attitude to understand his preparation and so that's why he slotted right into the team and he was able to be himself due to that."

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

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

"Unfortunately, Mack was probably the best Australian 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 strong fit at the number 15 position, the coach added: "Showing up in the center of the field is a trait that he does from the flank anyway, but I imagine he's more in position for that more often.

"The player's high ball play was excellent, don't you think? I thought we didn't get bored of executing the correct thing and that was putting the ball back on them to gain territory.

"The reason that was the correct thing to do is since it's the players of Hansen who was securing the balls returned, and other teammates, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

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

Another player was excellent on his return to the number 10 jersey, the scrum and line-out operated smoothly and another teammate did not look out of place in his debut appearance in the forwards.

But perhaps most satisfying for Farrell was the team bookending the game with multiple strong periods.

The player's initial two scores occurred in the opening eleven moments while additional teammates registered in the final stages after the other team had crossed, ensuring the Irish side finished on a high.

"I thought we really let ourselves go and attacked the match right from the beginning," said the coach.

"How we handled numerous elements throughout the game, especially the opposition responding just before the break and regathering ourselves and producing a display like we did in the second half, I thought as far as field position and being familiar with the majority of our game in that later period was truly satisfying."

The might of South Africa are next up for the team, in what might be viewed as an informal conclusion to last year's drawn multiple match contest on rival territory.

Farrell's side will need to attain another level to defeat the consecutive world champions, but Saturday's victory of the Wallabies was a important step in the correct path after an uninspiring beginning to their autumn schedule.