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Following last week's disappointing showing against Japan, the head coach told his Irish squad to step up their game.

Ireland listened immediately.

The Irish side had struggled in the final stages against New Zealand and required considerable time to get going versus Japan.

Nevertheless, against Australia, they started powerfully, with Mack Hansen shining brightest during a comprehensive triumph that represented Ireland's best display of the season.

In his debut international start at the number 15 position, the player scored a three tries, contested brilliantly for high balls and performed outstandingly against the country of his origin.

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

"I missed being in this team, I know there's much discussion about me not exactly being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this team and this seems like family.

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

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

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

After twenty-eight caps on the wing, Hansen was entrusted the number 15 position for the initial time with multiple teammates unavailable.

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

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

Having returned recently, he developed a foot injury that made him unavailable for previous matches.

Farrell had indicated that the player was especially determined and these turned out to be not empty statements as the ex- club player gave his coach a positive team dilemma for upcoming games.

"Well my first reaction were, 'You better play excellently in those different coloured shoes!'," commented the coach, referring to Hansen's decision to wear mismatched boots.

"Actually I believed that was appropriate but apparently Hansen just did that himself regardless. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the match, 'Good athletes require no justifications, they can perform and just be themselves, you can get the player of the game if you choose,' and he went, 'Yes, I agree.'

"So he's that type of performer, he trains thoroughly, he's got a great attitude to understand his preparation and so that's why he slotted right back in and he was capable to be himself due to that."

Hansen's performance also earned commendation from the opposing manager, who stated he was the "exceptional opposition player" on the night.

"I thought he was super, his knowledge was evident to the fore," said the former international manager.

"Regrettably, Hansen was probably the standout opposition player on the pitch. He's got a great skillset and he's such a good contender."

Pressed about what makes the player a strong option at the number 15 position, the coach added: "Appearing in the middle of the field is a trait that he demonstrates from the flank anyway, but I suppose he's better in place for that more often.

"The player's aerial play was brilliant, don't you think? I thought we didn't get bored of doing the correct approach and that was putting the possession back on them to gain territory.

"Why that was the right thing to do is because it's the players of Hansen who was getting the possessions returned, and additional teammates, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Outside Hansen, there were multiple encouraging aspects for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his return to the fly-half position, the scrum and throw-in operated effectively and different player did not appear out of place in his debut start in the forwards.

But perhaps most satisfying for Farrell was Ireland bookending the match with two impressive spells.

Hansen's initial couple of scores occurred in the opening eleven moments while other players scored in the final stages after the other team had scored, ensuring the home team concluded on a positive note.

"In my opinion we truly let ourselves go and approached the game right from the beginning," said the coach.

"The way we handled various elements during the match, particularly the opposition coming back just before the break and regathering ourselves and producing a display like we achieved in the later stages, I believed as far as field position and being across the majority of our strategy in that later period was truly satisfying."

The strength of South Africa are awaiting for the team, in what could be viewed as an informal decider to last year's drawn two-Test series on rival soil.

The coach's team will require to reach a higher level to beat the back-to-back world champions, but the recent defeat of the Australian team was a significant step in the right direction after an disappointing beginning to their fall campaign.