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After last week's underwhelming showing against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell told his Irish team to improve their game.

Ireland listened right away.

Ireland had struggled in the final stages against New Zealand and taken considerable time to get going versus Japan.

However, facing the Wallabies, they started powerfully, with the talented back shining brightest during a comprehensive triumph that represented Ireland's best performance this year.

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

"Look, I've experienced a pretty difficult run with fitness issues really," Hansen stated.

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

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

"My entire focus this period was to go out and perform what I could do."

Manager stated: 'Good players require no excuses'

After 28 caps on the wing, Hansen was given the number 15 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 experienced player had been in superb condition before physical issues disrupted his dream of making the international team.

After returned last month, he suffered a lower body injury that made him unavailable for earlier matches.

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

"So my initial thoughts were, 'You better perform well in those different coloured boots!'," commented Farrell, alluding to the player's choice to sport different footwear.

"Actually I thought that was fitting but apparently Mack just made that personally regardless. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes don't need excuses, they can perform and just be themselves, you can get the man of the match if you want,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"So he's that type of player, he trains well, he's got a excellent approach to get across his preparation and thus that's why he slotted right into the team and he was capable to perform naturally due to that."

The player's performance also earned commendation from the rival coach, who remarked he was the "standout Australian player" on the evening.

"I thought he was super, his knowledge was evident to the fore," said the ex- international manager.

"Unfortunately, Mack was likely the best opposition player on the field. He's has a excellent skillset and he's such a strong contender."

When asked about what enables Hansen a strong option at the number 15 position, Farrell continued: "Appearing in the middle of the pitch is something that he does from the flank anyway, but I imagine he's more in place for that more often.

"His aerial play was brilliant, wasn't it? I thought we didn't get bored of doing the correct approach and that was putting the ball back on them to secure field position.

"Why that was the correct strategy to do is because it's the players of Mackie who was getting the balls returned, and other players, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

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

Another player was excellent on his return to the number 10 position, the scrum and line-out functioned effectively and different teammate did not appear out of place in his debut appearance in the forwards.

But possibly more pleasing for the manager was Ireland framing the match with multiple impressive spells.

Hansen's initial couple of tries came in the opening eleven minutes while additional players scored in the final stages after the opposition had crossed, guaranteeing the Irish team finished on a positive note.

"In my opinion we truly let ourselves go and attacked the game straight from the beginning," said Farrell.

"The way we handled numerous elements throughout the game, especially them responding just before half-time and regathering ourselves and producing a display like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as territory and being familiar with most of our game in that later period was truly satisfying."

The strength of South Africa are next up for the team, in what might be viewed as an informal decider to last year's tied multiple match series on rival soil.

Farrell's team will require to attain another standard to defeat the consecutive world champions, but Saturday's defeat of the Australian team was a significant step in the right direction after an disappointing start to their autumn schedule.