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

Ireland responded immediately.

The Irish side had faded late against New Zealand and taken considerable time to find their rhythm versus Japan.

However, against Australia, they began strongly, with Mack Hansen shining most prominently during a comprehensive triumph that represented Ireland's best display of the season.

In his debut international appearance at full-back, the player registered a hat-trick, contested excellently for aerial challenges and played exceptionally against the nation of his origin.

"Look, I've had a fairly challenging period with injuries honestly," Hansen commented.

"I longed for being in this squad, I understand there's considerable talk about me not exactly being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this group and this feels like family.

"Any time I get to represent for Ireland it's a privilege, if you fail to deliver a good showing you might not get that privilege again.

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

Coach stated: 'Good players require no justifications'

Following twenty-eight caps on the flank, the player was entrusted the full-back position for the initial time with several teammates unavailable.

In his case, it was essentially a case of picking up where he left off during the warmer months.

The experienced player had been in superb form before physical issues disrupted his aspiration of joining the international squad.

After returned last month, he developed a lower body injury that ruled him out for earlier matches.

The coach had suggested that Hansen was particularly determined and these proved not hollow words as the former club player gave his coach a positive selection headache for future games.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You need to perform well in those two colored shoes!'," said Farrell, referring to the player's decision to wear mismatched boots.

"In fact I thought that was fitting but apparently Hansen just did that personally regardless. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the game, 'Excellent athletes require no justifications, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can win the player of the game if you want,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that kind of player, he prepares thoroughly, he's got a great attitude to understand his preparation and so that's why he slotted straight into the team and he was able to perform naturally because of that."

Hansen's efforts also earned commendation from the rival coach, who stated he was the "standout Australian player" on the night.

"I thought he was super, his experience was evident to the fore," said the former national manager.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was likely the best opposition player on the field. He's got a great skillset and he's such a good competitor."

When asked about what makes the player a strong option at full-back, the coach added: "Appearing in the center of the field is something that he does from the wing regardless, but I imagine he's better in place for that frequently.

"The player's aerial work was brilliant, wasn't it? I thought we persisted of doing the right approach and that was placing the possession again on them to secure field position.

"Why that was the right thing to do is since it's the players of Hansen who was getting the possessions back, and additional teammates, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Outside Hansen, there were numerous encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his return to the number 10 jersey, the set piece and throw-in functioned smoothly and another teammate did not look out of place in his first start in the forwards.

But perhaps most satisfying for the manager was Ireland framing the match with two impressive spells.

Hansen's first couple of scores occurred in the first 11 moments while additional teammates registered in the closing exchanges after the opposition had scored, ensuring the home team finished on a high.

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

"How we managed various elements throughout the game, particularly them responding just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and producing a display like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as territory and being across the majority of our game in that second half was truly satisfying."

The might of South Africa are awaiting for Ireland, in what could be viewed as an unofficial decider to the previous season's tied two-Test contest on opposition soil.

The coach's side will need to attain a higher level to defeat the consecutive world champions, but the recent defeat of the Australian team was a important step in the correct path after an disappointing beginning to their fall schedule.