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Following their previous disappointing performance against Japan, the head coach told his Irish team to improve their game.

The team responded right away.

The Irish side had faded late against New Zealand and required most of the match to get going versus their Asian opponents.

However, against Australia, they began strongly, with Mack Hansen shining brightest during a 46-19 victory that marked the team's finest performance this year.

Making his first test match appearance at full-back, the player registered a three tries, contested excellently for high balls and played exceptionally against the nation of his origin.

"You know, I've experienced a pretty difficult run with fitness issues honestly," Hansen stated.

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

"Any time I get to play for Ireland it's a honor, if you don't put in a good showing you might not receive that privilege again.

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

Manager declared: 'Excellent athletes require no justifications'

After 28 appearances on the flank, the player was entrusted the full-back role for the initial time with several teammates injured.

For him, it was essentially a case of continuing where he left off during the warmer months.

The 28-year-old had been in superb condition before injury ended his aspiration of joining the international squad.

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

The coach had indicated that Hansen was particularly determined and these proved not empty words as the ex- club player gave his manager a positive team dilemma for future matches.

"So my initial thoughts were, 'You better perform well in those different coloured boots!'," said Farrell, alluding to the player's decision to wear different boots.

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

"I told to him before the game, 'Good athletes require no excuses, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can get the player of the game if you want,' and he went, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"So he's that kind of player, he trains well, he's has a great approach to get across his preparation and so that's why he slotted straight into the team and he was capable to perform naturally due to that."

The player's efforts also received praise from the rival manager, who stated he was the "standout Australian performer" on the evening.

"I thought he was super, his knowledge showed to the front," said the ex- national coach.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was probably the standout opposition performer on the field. He's got a great ability and he's such a strong contender."

When asked about what enables the player a strong fit at full-back, the coach added: "Showing up in the center of the field is a trait that he does from the wing anyway, but I imagine he's better in position for that more often.

"The player's aerial work was excellent, wasn't it? I believed we didn't get bored of executing the right approach and that was putting the ball back on them to secure field position.

"Why that was the right strategy to do is because it's the likes of Hansen who was securing the balls back, and other players, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

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

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his comeback to the fly-half jersey, the scrum and throw-in functioned smoothly and another teammate did not look uncomfortable in his debut start in the front row.

But perhaps most satisfying for the manager was Ireland bookending the match with multiple impressive periods.

The player's first two tries came in the first 11 moments while other teammates scored in the final exchanges after the other team had crossed, guaranteeing the home team finished on a positive note.

"In my opinion we truly let ourselves go and attacked the match straight from the word go," stated the coach.

"How we managed numerous aspects throughout the match, especially the opposition responding just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and giving a performance like we did in the second half, I believed as far as field position and being across the majority of our strategy in that later period was truly satisfying."

The might of South Africa are next up for Ireland, in what could be viewed as an unofficial conclusion to last year's drawn multiple match series on opposition territory.

The coach's side will require to reach another level to beat the consecutive title holders, but Saturday's defeat of the Australian team was a significant advancement in the right direction after an disappointing beginning to their fall campaign.