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After their previous disappointing performance against the Japanese team, the head coach told his Ireland team to improve their game.

Ireland listened right away.

Ireland had struggled in the final stages against the All Blacks and required most of the match to find their rhythm versus Japan.

Nevertheless, against Australia, they started strongly, with Mack Hansen excelling most prominently during a 46-19 triumph that marked Ireland's best performance this year.

In his first international appearance at the number 15 position, the player registered a hat-trick, contested brilliantly for aerial challenges and performed outstandingly against the country of his birth.

"You know, I've experienced a fairly difficult run with fitness issues honestly," the athlete commented.

"I longed for being in this squad, I understand there's much talk about me not necessarily being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this team and this seems like home.

"Any time I get to represent for the national team it's a privilege, if you don't put in a performance you may not receive that privilege again.

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

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

Following 28 caps on the wing, the player was given the full-back position for the first time with multiple teammates unavailable.

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

The experienced player had been in superb form before injury disrupted his dream of making the Test team.

Having returned recently, he suffered a lower body injury that ruled him out for previous fixtures.

The coach had indicated that the player was especially determined and these proved not hollow words as the former provincial player gave his coach a welcome selection headache for upcoming matches.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You better play excellently in those two coloured shoes!'," said Farrell, alluding to the player's decision to sport mismatched boots.

"Actually I thought that was appropriate but apparently Mack just did that personally anyway. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even begun.

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

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

The player's efforts also earned commendation from the opposing coach, who remarked he was the "standout Australian player" on the night.

"In my view he was super, his knowledge was evident to the fore," said the former international manager.

"Unfortunately, Mack was likely the standout Australian player on the pitch. He's has a excellent skillset and he's such a good competitor."

When asked about what makes Hansen a strong option at the number 15 position, Farrell added: "Showing up in the center of the pitch is something that he demonstrates from the wing anyway, but I imagine he's more in place for that frequently.

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

"The reason that was the right strategy to do is because it's the players of Mackie who was getting the possessions returned, and additional teammates, so [it's] quite pleasing."

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

Another player was excellent on his comeback to the number 10 position, the scrum and throw-in functioned effectively and another player did not appear out of place in his debut start in the forwards.

But perhaps most pleasing for the manager was the team bookending the game with multiple impressive spells.

The player's first couple of tries occurred in the opening 11 minutes while additional players registered in the closing stages after the opposition had crossed, guaranteeing the Irish team concluded on a high.

"I thought we truly performed freely and attacked the game right from the word go," stated Farrell.

"How we managed numerous elements during the match, particularly them responding just before half-time and regathering ourselves and giving a performance like we achieved in the later stages, I believed as far as field position and being familiar with the majority of our strategy in that second half was really satisfying."

The might of the Springboks are next up for the team, in what might be viewed as an unofficial decider to the previous season's drawn multiple match contest on opposition territory.

Farrell's side will require to reach a higher level to beat the back-to-back world champions, but the recent defeat of the Wallabies was a important advancement in the right direction after an uninspiring beginning to their fall campaign.