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After their previous underwhelming showing against Japan, the head coach challenged his Ireland squad to step up their performance.

The team responded immediately.

Ireland had faded late against the All Blacks and taken most of the match to find their rhythm versus Japan.

However, facing Australia, they started powerfully, with Mack Hansen shining brightest during a 46-19 triumph that represented the team's finest performance this year.

Making his first international appearance at full-back, Hansen registered a three tries, competed brilliantly for high balls and performed outstandingly against the nation of his birth.

"You know, I've had a fairly difficult period with injuries really," the athlete commented.

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

"Whenever I get to play for the national team it's a honor, if you don't put in a good showing you may not receive that privilege again.

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

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

Following 28 caps on the flank, the player was entrusted the number 15 position for the first time with several teammates injured.

In his case, it was simply a case of picking up where he left off during the summer.

The experienced player had been in superb condition before physical issues ended his aspiration of joining the international team.

Having come back last month, he suffered a foot injury that ruled him out for earlier matches.

The coach had suggested that the player was especially determined and these turned out to be not empty words as the former club player gave his manager a welcome selection dilemma for future games.

"So my initial reaction were, 'You better perform excellently in those different colored boots!'," commented Farrell, referring to Hansen's decision to sport mismatched footwear.

"Actually I believed that was fitting but it seems Mack just made that himself anyway. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the game, 'Excellent players require no excuses, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can get the man of the match if you want,' and he responded, 'Yes, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that kind of performer, he trains well, he's has a excellent approach to get across his detail and so that's why he fitted right back in and he was capable to perform naturally because of that."

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

"I thought he was outstanding, his experience showed to the fore," said the ex- national manager.

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

When asked about what enables Hansen a good fit at the number 15 position, Farrell continued: "Appearing in the center of the pitch is a trait that he does from the flank anyway, but I suppose he's more in place for that frequently.

"His high ball work was brilliant, don't you think? I believed we persisted of executing the correct approach and that was putting the ball again on them to secure territory.

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

Outside Hansen, there were numerous positives for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his comeback to the number 10 position, the scrum and line-out operated smoothly and another teammate did not appear uncomfortable in his first start in the forwards.

But possibly most satisfying for Farrell was Ireland framing the game with two impressive spells.

The player's initial couple of tries came in the opening eleven moments while additional players scored in the final exchanges after the opposition had scored, guaranteeing the Irish side finished on a positive note.

"In my opinion we truly performed freely and approached the game right from the beginning," said Farrell.

"The way we managed numerous aspects during the match, particularly the opposition responding just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and giving a performance like we did in the later stages, I believed as far as field position and being across most of our game in that second half was truly pleasing."

The might of South Africa are awaiting for Ireland, in what might be viewed as an unofficial decider to the previous season's tied multiple match series on rival territory.

Farrell's side will require to reach a higher level to defeat the back-to-back world champions, but the recent defeat of the Australian team was a important step in the right path after an disappointing beginning to their autumn campaign.