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Following last week's disappointing showing against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell told his Ireland squad to step up their game.

Ireland responded immediately.

The Irish side had faded late against New Zealand and required considerable time to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

However, against the Wallabies, they began powerfully, with Mack Hansen shining brightest during a 46-19 triumph that represented Ireland's finest display of the season.

Making his debut international appearance at full-back, the player scored a three tries, competed excellently for high balls and performed outstandingly against the country of his origin.

"You know, I've had a pretty difficult run with fitness issues really," the athlete commented.

"I missed being in this team, I understand there's considerable talk about me not exactly being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this group and this seems like home.

"Any time I get to represent for the national team it's a honor, if you don't put in a performance you might not receive that privilege again.

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

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

Following 28 appearances on the wing, the player was given the full-back role for the initial time with multiple players injured.

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

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

Having come back recently, he developed a foot problem that made him unavailable for earlier matches.

The coach had suggested that the player was especially motivated and these proved not empty words as the former provincial player gave his manager a positive team headache for future matches.

"So my first reaction were, 'You need to perform excellently in those two colored boots!'," commented the coach, alluding to the player's decision to sport mismatched boots.

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

"I said to him before the match, 'Good players require no excuses, they can perform and just play naturally, you can get the player of the game if you want,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"So he's that kind of performer, he trains well, he's has a great attitude to understand his preparation and thus that's why he fitted straight into the team and he was capable to be himself because of that."

Hansen's performance also received praise from the rival coach, who stated he was the "exceptional Australian performer" on the night.

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

"Regrettably, Mack was probably the best Australian player on the pitch. He's got a great ability and he's such a good contender."

When asked about what enables Hansen a strong fit at full-back, Farrell continued: "Appearing in the center of the pitch is a trait that he does from the wing regardless, but I suppose he's better in place for that frequently.

"The player's aerial play was excellent, don't you think? I thought we didn't get bored of executing the right thing and that was placing the ball back on them to secure territory.

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

Beyond the star performer, there were multiple positives for Farrell.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his return to the fly-half jersey, the set piece and line-out operated smoothly and different player did not look out of place in his first appearance in the forwards.

But possibly more pleasing for the manager was Ireland framing the game with two impressive spells.

Hansen's initial couple of scores came in the opening eleven minutes while other teammates scored in the final exchanges after the opposition had scored, ensuring the Irish team finished on a positive note.

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

"How we handled numerous aspects during the game, especially the opposition responding just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and giving a display like we achieved in the later stages, I thought as far as field position and being across the majority of our strategy in that later period was really pleasing."

The might of South Africa are next up for Ireland, in what might be considered as an unofficial conclusion to the previous season's drawn multiple match contest on opposition territory.

Farrell's side will need to reach a higher standard to beat the consecutive world champions, but Saturday's defeat of the Wallabies was a important step in the correct direction after an disappointing beginning to their fall schedule.