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After their previous underwhelming showing against the Japanese team, the head coach challenged his Irish team to step up their performance.

Ireland responded immediately.

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

Nevertheless, against Australia, they started strongly, with Mack Hansen excelling brightest during a 46-19 victory that represented the team's best display this year.

Making his debut international start at the number 15 position, Hansen scored a hat-trick, competed brilliantly for aerial challenges and played outstandingly against the nation of his birth.

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

"I longed for being in this squad, I understand there's considerable talk about me not necessarily being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this team and this feels like family.

"Any time I have to play for Ireland it's a honor, if you don't put in a performance you might not receive that opportunity again.

"My entire approach this period was to take the field and do what I can do."

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

Following twenty-eight appearances on the flank, Hansen was given the full-back position for the initial time with several teammates unavailable.

In his case, it was essentially a case of picking up where he left off during the warmer months.

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

After come back recently, he suffered a foot injury that ruled him out for previous matches.

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

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You need to play well in those two colored boots!'," commented Farrell, referring to Hansen's decision to wear mismatched boots.

"Actually I believed that was fitting but it seems Hansen just did that personally regardless. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even started.

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

"Therefore he's that kind of performer, he trains well, he's has a great attitude to get across his preparation and so that's why he slotted straight back in and he was able to perform naturally due to that."

The player's efforts also earned praise from the opposing manager, who stated he was the "standout opposition performer" on the night.

"In my view he was outstanding, his experience showed to the front," said the ex- national manager.

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

When asked about what enables the player a strong fit at the number 15 position, Farrell continued: "Showing up in the middle of the pitch is a trait that he does from the wing anyway, but I suppose he's better in place for that frequently.

"The player's high ball work was excellent, don't you think? I believed we persisted of doing the correct thing and that was placing the ball again on them to gain territory.

"Why that was the correct strategy to do is because it's the likes of Hansen who was getting the balls returned, and additional teammates, so [it's] quite pleasing."

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

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his return to the fly-half position, the set piece and line-out operated effectively and different player did not appear out of place in his first start in the forwards.

But possibly more pleasing for Farrell was Ireland bookending the match with multiple strong spells.

The player's initial two tries came in the first 11 moments while other teammates registered in the closing stages after the opposition had scored, ensuring the Irish side finished on a high.

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

"How we managed various elements throughout the game, especially them responding just before half-time and regathering ourselves and giving a performance like we achieved in the later stages, I thought as far as territory and being familiar with most of our strategy in that second half was truly pleasing."

The strength of South Africa are next up for Ireland, in what might be considered as an informal conclusion to the previous season's tied two-Test contest on rival territory.

Farrell's side will require to attain another level to defeat the consecutive title holders, but the recent victory of the Australian team was a significant step in the right direction after an disappointing beginning to their fall campaign.