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

Ireland responded immediately.

The Irish side had struggled late against New Zealand and required most of the match to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, against the Wallabies, they started strongly, with Mack Hansen excelling most prominently during a comprehensive victory that represented Ireland's best display this year.

Making his debut test match appearance at the number 15 position, the player registered a three tries, competed excellently for aerial challenges and performed outstandingly against the country of his origin.

"Look, I've experienced a fairly challenging period with injuries really," Hansen stated.

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

"Whenever I have to play for the national team it's a privilege, if you don't put in a good showing you might not receive that opportunity again.

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

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

Following twenty-eight appearances on the flank, the player was given the full-back role for the initial time with multiple players unavailable.

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

The experienced player had been in superb condition before injury ended his aspiration of making the Test team.

Having returned last month, he suffered a lower body injury that ruled him out for previous matches.

The coach had suggested that the player was especially determined and these proved not hollow statements as the former provincial player gave his manager a welcome team headache for upcoming matches.

"Well my first reaction were, 'You better perform excellently in those different coloured boots!'," said the coach, referring to Hansen's choice to wear different boots.

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

"I told to him before the match, 'Good athletes 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 agree.'

"So he's that type of performer, he trains well, he's got a excellent attitude to understand his detail and so that's why he fitted right into the team and he was capable to perform naturally due to that."

Hansen's performance also received commendation from the opposing manager, who remarked he was the "exceptional Australian player" on the evening.

"In my view he was outstanding, his knowledge was evident to the front," commented the ex- national manager.

"Regrettably, Mack was probably the standout opposition performer on the pitch. He's has a excellent ability and he's such a good contender."

Pressed about what enables the player a strong fit at the number 15 position, the coach added: "Showing up in the center of the field is something that he does from the flank regardless, but I imagine he's more in position for that frequently.

"His high ball play was brilliant, wasn't it? I thought we persisted of executing the right thing and that was placing the ball back on them to gain field position.

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

Outside Hansen, there were multiple encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Another player was outstanding on his comeback to the fly-half position, the scrum and throw-in operated effectively and different player did not appear uncomfortable in his debut appearance in the forwards.

But perhaps most pleasing for the manager was Ireland framing the game with multiple strong spells.

The player's first two scores came in the first eleven minutes while additional teammates registered in the final stages after the opposition had crossed, guaranteeing the Irish side concluded on a positive note.

"In my opinion we really performed freely and attacked the match straight from the beginning," stated Farrell.

"The way we handled numerous elements during the match, especially the opposition coming back just before the break and regathering ourselves and producing a display like we did in the later stages, I believed as far as territory and being familiar with most of our strategy in that later period was really pleasing."

The might of the Springboks are awaiting for the team, in what might be considered as an informal conclusion to the previous season's drawn multiple match contest on rival territory.

The coach's team will need to reach another level to defeat the back-to-back world champions, but Saturday's victory of the Wallabies was a important step in the correct direction after an uninspiring start to their autumn schedule.