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Following last week's disappointing showing against Japan, Andy Farrell told his Irish squad to improve their performance.

Ireland responded immediately.

Ireland had faded late against the All Blacks and required considerable time to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, facing Australia, they began powerfully, with Mack Hansen excelling most prominently during a comprehensive victory that marked the team's finest performance of the season.

In his first test match appearance at full-back, the player registered a three tries, competed brilliantly for high balls and performed outstandingly against the nation of his origin.

"Look, I've had a fairly difficult period with injuries honestly," the athlete commented.

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

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

"My entire approach this week was to go out and do what I could do."

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

Following 28 appearances on the wing, Hansen was entrusted the number 15 position for the first time with several teammates unavailable.

In his case, 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 disrupted his dream of joining the Test squad.

Having returned recently, he suffered a lower body problem that ruled him out for earlier matches.

Farrell had indicated that Hansen was particularly motivated and these turned out to be not hollow words as the ex- club player gave his coach a welcome selection headache for upcoming matches.

"Well my first reaction were, 'You need to play excellently in those two coloured boots!'," said the coach, referring to Hansen's decision to wear mismatched footwear.

"In fact I thought that was fitting but it seems Hansen just made that himself regardless. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even started.

"I said to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes require no excuses, they can perform and just be themselves, you can win the man of the match if you choose,' and he went, 'Yes, I concur.'

"So he's that kind of player, he trains well, he's got a great attitude to understand his detail and thus that's why he slotted right into the team and he was capable to perform naturally due to that."

Hansen's performance also received praise from the opposing coach, who stated he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the evening.

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

"Unfortunately, Hansen was likely the standout Australian player on the pitch. He's has a great ability and he's such a strong contender."

When asked about what enables Hansen a strong option at full-back, the coach added: "Appearing in the middle of the field is a trait that he does from the wing anyway, but I imagine he's better in position for that frequently.

"The player's aerial play was brilliant, wasn't it? I thought we persisted of executing the correct thing and that was placing the ball back on them to secure territory.

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

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

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his comeback to the fly-half jersey, the scrum and throw-in operated effectively and another teammate did not appear out of place in his debut appearance in the forwards.

But possibly more satisfying for the manager was Ireland framing the game with multiple strong spells.

Hansen's first two tries occurred in the first eleven moments while other players scored in the final exchanges after the opposition had crossed, guaranteeing the Irish side concluded on a positive note.

"I thought we truly performed freely and approached the game straight from the beginning," stated Farrell.

"The way we handled various elements throughout the game, particularly the opposition responding just before the break and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we achieved in the second half, I believed as far as field position and being familiar with the majority of our game in that later period was really satisfying."

The strength of the Springboks are awaiting for the team, in what might be considered as an unofficial decider to the previous season's tied multiple match series on opposition territory.

Farrell's side will need to reach another level to defeat the back-to-back title holders, but the recent defeat of the Australian team was a important advancement in the right direction after an uninspiring beginning to their fall schedule.