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Following their previous disappointing showing against the Japanese team, the head coach challenged his Irish team to improve their performance.

Ireland listened immediately.

Ireland had struggled in the final stages against New Zealand and required considerable time to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

However, facing the Wallabies, they started powerfully, with Mack Hansen shining most prominently during a 46-19 triumph that marked the team's best performance this year.

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

"You know, I've had a fairly challenging period with injuries really," Hansen stated.

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

"Whenever I get to play 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 approach this period was to go out and do what I can do."

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

After twenty-eight caps on the wing, the player was given the full-back role for the first time with multiple players unavailable.

In his case, it was simply a case of picking up where he left off during the summer.

The 28-year-old had been in superb form before physical issues ended his aspiration of making the Test squad.

Having come back recently, he suffered a foot problem that ruled him out for earlier matches.

The coach had indicated that the player was especially determined and these proved not hollow statements as the former club player gave his coach a welcome team dilemma for future games.

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

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

"I said to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes require no excuses, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can win the player of the game if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"So he's that kind of player, he prepares well, he's got a great approach to get across his detail and thus that's why he slotted right into the team and he was able to perform naturally due to that."

Hansen's efforts also earned commendation from the opposing manager, who stated he was the "standout Australian player" on the evening.

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

"Regrettably, Mack was likely the standout Australian player on the pitch. He's got a excellent ability and he's such a good contender."

Pressed about what enables Hansen a strong option at full-back, the coach continued: "Showing up in the center of the field is a trait that he does from the flank regardless, but I imagine he's better in position for that more often.

"The player's aerial work was excellent, wasn't it? I believed we persisted of executing the right approach and that was putting the possession back on them to gain field position.

"The reason that was the correct strategy to do is since it's the likes of Mackie who was getting the balls back, and additional players, so [it's] quite satisfying."

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

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his comeback to the fly-half jersey, the scrum and line-out operated effectively and another teammate did not appear out of place in his debut start in the forwards.

But perhaps most pleasing for Farrell was the team bookending the game with multiple strong periods.

The player's initial couple of scores came in the first 11 minutes while other teammates scored in the final exchanges after the opposition had scored, ensuring the home team finished on a positive note.

"I thought we really performed freely and approached the game straight from the beginning," said the coach.

"The way we handled numerous elements during the game, especially them coming back just before half-time and regathering ourselves and producing 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 second half was really satisfying."

The strength of South Africa are next up for Ireland, in what might be considered as an unofficial conclusion to the previous season's tied two-Test contest on opposition territory.

Farrell's team will need to attain a higher standard to beat the back-to-back title holders, but the recent defeat of the Australian team was a significant step in the correct direction after an uninspiring start to their fall schedule.