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Following last week's disappointing showing against Japan, the head coach challenged his Irish squad to step up their performance.

The team listened immediately.

The Irish side had struggled in the final stages against New Zealand and taken considerable time to get going versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, facing the Wallabies, they started strongly, with Mack Hansen shining brightest during a 46-19 triumph that marked the team's best display this year.

Making his first test match appearance at the number 15 position, the player scored a three tries, contested brilliantly for high balls and performed outstandingly against the country of his birth.

"You know, I've experienced a pretty challenging period with injuries honestly," the athlete commented.

"I longed for being in this squad, I know there's much discussion about me not necessarily being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this group and this feels like family.

"Any time I have to play for the national team it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a performance you may not get that opportunity again.

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

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

After 28 caps on the wing, the player was entrusted the full-back role for the initial time with multiple players injured.

In his case, it was simply a case of continuing where he finished during the warmer months.

The experienced player had been in superb condition before injury disrupted his aspiration of joining the international team.

After come back last month, he developed a foot injury that made him unavailable for earlier fixtures.

Farrell had suggested that the player was particularly motivated and these proved not hollow statements as the former provincial player gave his coach a welcome team headache for future games.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You better perform excellently in those two coloured boots!'," commented the coach, referring to Hansen's decision to sport mismatched boots.

"In fact I thought that was fitting but apparently Mack just did that personally anyway. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I said to him before the game, 'Good athletes don't need justifications, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can win the man of the match if you choose,' and he went, 'Yes, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that type of player, he prepares thoroughly, he's got a great attitude to understand his preparation and so that's why he fitted straight back in and he was capable to perform naturally because of that."

The player's performance also received praise from the rival coach, who stated he was the "standout opposition performer" on the night.

"In my view he was super, his experience was evident to the fore," commented the ex- international manager.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was likely the best Australian performer on the pitch. He's got a excellent ability and he's such a good contender."

When asked about what makes Hansen a strong option at full-back, the coach continued: "Showing up in the center of the pitch is something that he demonstrates from the flank regardless, but I suppose he's better in place for that more often.

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

"Why that was the correct strategy to do is since it's the players of Mackie who was getting the possessions returned, and other teammates, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

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

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his return to the fly-half jersey, the scrum and throw-in functioned effectively and another player did not look out of place in his debut appearance in the front row.

But perhaps most satisfying for Farrell was the team framing the match with multiple impressive periods.

Hansen's first two scores occurred in the first 11 moments while additional teammates scored in the closing stages after the opposition had scored, ensuring the home team concluded on a positive note.

"I thought we really performed freely and approached the match straight from the word go," said the coach.

"How we handled various aspects throughout the match, particularly the opposition responding just before half-time 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 really satisfying."

The might of South Africa are next up for Ireland, in what could be considered as an unofficial decider to last year's tied multiple match series on opposition territory.

The coach's side will need to reach a higher level to defeat the consecutive title holders, but Saturday's defeat of the Australian team was a important advancement in the right direction after an disappointing start to their autumn campaign.