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After their previous disappointing performance against Japan, Andy Farrell told his Ireland squad to improve their performance.

Ireland responded right away.

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

Nevertheless, against Australia, they started powerfully, with Mack Hansen excelling most prominently during a 46-19 victory that represented the team's finest display of the season.

Making his first international start at full-back, Hansen registered a hat-trick, competed excellently for high balls and performed exceptionally against the country of his birth.

"You know, I've experienced a fairly difficult period with fitness issues really," the athlete stated.

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

"Whenever I get to represent for Ireland it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a performance you may not receive that privilege again.

"My entire approach this period was to go out and do what I can do."

Coach stated: 'Good players require no justifications'

Following twenty-eight appearances on the flank, the player was given the number 15 position for the initial time with multiple players injured.

In his case, it was essentially a case of continuing where he finished during the summer.

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

After returned last month, he developed a foot injury that made him unavailable for previous fixtures.

Farrell had indicated that Hansen was particularly determined and these proved not hollow statements as the former provincial player gave his manager a positive selection headache for upcoming games.

"Well my first reaction were, 'You better perform excellently in those different colored shoes!'," commented Farrell, alluding to the player's choice to wear mismatched footwear.

"In fact I thought that was fitting but it seems Hansen just did that himself regardless. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even begun.

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

"Therefore he's that type of performer, he prepares well, he's has a great attitude to get across his preparation and thus that's why he slotted straight into the team and he was able to be himself due to that."

The player's performance also received commendation from the rival manager, who remarked he was the "standout opposition performer" on the evening.

"I thought he was outstanding, his experience was evident to the front," said the ex- national coach.

"Regrettably, Hansen was probably the standout Australian player on the pitch. He's got a excellent ability and he's such a strong contender."

When asked about what makes Hansen a good fit at full-back, the coach continued: "Showing up in the center of the field is something that he does from the wing anyway, but I imagine he's more in position for that more often.

"The player's high ball play was brilliant, wasn't it? I believed we persisted of executing the right thing and that was placing the possession back on them to secure territory.

"The reason that was the right thing to do is since it's the players of Hansen who was securing the balls returned, and additional teammates, so [it's] quite pleasing."

Beyond Hansen, there were multiple positives for Farrell.

Another player was excellent on his comeback to the number 10 jersey, the set piece and throw-in functioned effectively and different teammate did not look uncomfortable in his first appearance in the front row.

But possibly more pleasing for the manager was Ireland framing the game with two impressive spells.

Hansen's initial couple of scores came in the first 11 moments while additional teammates registered in the closing stages after the opposition had scored, ensuring the home team finished on a positive note.

"In my opinion we truly let ourselves go and attacked the game right from the word go," said Farrell.

"How we handled numerous aspects during the match, particularly them coming back just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and producing a performance like we did in the later stages, I believed as far as field position and being familiar with the majority of our strategy in that later period was truly pleasing."

The might of the Springboks are next up for the team, in what might be considered as an informal conclusion to last year's tied multiple match contest on opposition soil.

Farrell's side will require to attain a higher standard to beat the back-to-back title holders, but Saturday's defeat of the Wallabies was a important step in the correct path after an disappointing start to their fall schedule.