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Following last week's disappointing showing against Japan, the head coach challenged his Irish team to improve their game.

The team listened immediately.

Ireland had faded in the final stages against New Zealand and taken most of the match to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, against the Wallabies, they began strongly, with Mack Hansen excelling most prominently during a comprehensive victory that represented the team's finest performance of the season.

In his debut test match start at the number 15 position, Hansen scored a hat-trick, contested excellently for high balls and performed outstandingly against the nation of his origin.

"Look, I've experienced a pretty challenging run with fitness issues really," the athlete commented.

"I missed being in this squad, I understand there's considerable discussion about me not necessarily being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this team and this seems like family.

"Whenever I have to play for Ireland it's a honor, if you don't put in a good showing you may not get that privilege again.

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

Manager declared: 'Excellent players don't need excuses'

Following twenty-eight appearances on the wing, the player was given the number 15 role for the first time with several players unavailable.

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

The 28-year-old had been in excellent condition before physical issues ended his dream of joining the international team.

Having returned recently, he developed a lower body problem that made him unavailable for previous fixtures.

The coach had indicated that the player was especially determined and these turned out to be not hollow words as the former club player gave his coach a welcome selection headache for future matches.

"Well my initial thoughts were, 'You better perform excellently in those two colored shoes!'," commented Farrell, referring to the player's decision to wear mismatched footwear.

"In fact I believed that was fitting but it seems Mack just did that himself anyway. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even started.

"I said to him before the match, 'Excellent players don't need excuses, they can perform and just play naturally, you can get the player of the game if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yes, I concur.'

"So he's that kind of player, he prepares well, he's has a great approach to understand his detail and so that's why he fitted right back in and he was able to be himself due to that."

Hansen's efforts also received commendation from the rival coach, who stated he was the "standout Australian performer" on the evening.

"I thought he was outstanding, his knowledge showed to the front," commented the ex- national manager.

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

Pressed about what enables Hansen a strong fit at the number 15 position, the coach added: "Appearing in the middle of the pitch is a trait that he does from the wing regardless, but I suppose he's more in place for that more often.

"His aerial play was brilliant, don't you think? I believed we didn't get bored of executing the correct thing and that was putting the ball again on them to secure territory.

"Why that was the correct thing to do is because it's the likes of Hansen who was getting the possessions back, and additional players, so [it's] quite satisfying."

Outside the star performer, there were multiple encouraging aspects for the coach.

Another player was outstanding on his return to the number 10 position, the set piece and throw-in operated smoothly and another player did not look out of place in his first appearance in the forwards.

But possibly more pleasing for the manager was Ireland bookending the game with two strong spells.

Hansen's initial couple of scores occurred in the first 11 moments while additional players registered in the final stages after the opposition had crossed, ensuring the Irish side finished on a positive note.

"In my opinion we truly performed freely and approached the game right from the beginning," stated the coach.

"How we managed numerous elements during the game, particularly the opposition coming back just before the break and regathering ourselves and giving a performance like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as territory and being familiar with the majority of our game in that later period was truly pleasing."

The strength of South Africa are next up for the team, in what could be viewed as an unofficial conclusion to last year's tied multiple match contest on opposition territory.

Farrell's side will need to reach another level to defeat the consecutive title holders, but Saturday's victory of the Australian team was a significant advancement in the right path after an disappointing start to their autumn campaign.