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Following their previous underwhelming showing against Japan, the head coach told his Ireland team to improve their game.

The team listened immediately.

The Irish side had struggled in the final stages against the All Blacks and required most of the match to get going versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, facing the Wallabies, they started strongly, with Mack Hansen excelling most prominently during a comprehensive triumph that marked the team's best display of the season.

In his debut test match start at the number 15 position, the player registered a three tries, competed brilliantly for aerial challenges and played exceptionally against the nation of his birth.

"You know, I've experienced a pretty challenging period with injuries honestly," the athlete commented.

"I missed being in this team, I understand there's much discussion about me not necessarily being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this group and this feels like family.

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

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

Manager declared: 'Excellent players require no excuses'

After twenty-eight caps on the flank, Hansen was given the full-back role for the initial time with several teammates unavailable.

For him, it was essentially a case of picking up where he finished during the warmer months.

The experienced player had been in superb form before physical issues ended his dream of making the international squad.

Having returned recently, he suffered a lower body injury that ruled him out for earlier matches.

The coach had suggested that the player was particularly determined and these proved not hollow words as the ex- provincial player gave his manager a welcome team headache for upcoming matches.

"Well my initial reaction were, 'You better play well in those different coloured boots!'," commented the coach, referring to the player's decision to wear different footwear.

"In fact I thought that was fitting but apparently Mack just made that himself anyway. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the match, 'Excellent players require no justifications, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can get the man of the match if you want,' and he responded, 'Yes, I agree.'

"So he's that kind of player, he prepares thoroughly, he's has a excellent attitude to get across his preparation and so that's why he fitted right back in and he was capable to perform naturally because of that."

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

"In my view he was super, his experience was evident to the front," said the former national manager.

"Regrettably, Mack was probably the best opposition performer on the field. He's got a great skillset and he's such a strong contender."

Pressed about what makes Hansen a good option at the number 15 position, the coach continued: "Showing up in the center of the pitch is something that he demonstrates from the wing anyway, but I suppose he's more in place for that more often.

"His high ball play was excellent, don't you think? I believed we persisted of executing the right thing and that was putting the possession again on them to gain territory.

"The reason that was the right strategy to do is since it's the likes of Hansen who was getting the possessions returned, and other players, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Outside the star performer, there were numerous positives for Farrell.

Another player was outstanding on his return to the fly-half jersey, the set piece and line-out functioned smoothly and different player did not look out of place in his debut start in the front row.

But perhaps more satisfying for the manager was the team bookending the game with two impressive periods.

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

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

"How we managed numerous aspects during the match, particularly them responding just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and giving a display like we achieved in the later stages, I believed as far as territory and being familiar with most of our strategy in that later period was really satisfying."

The might of South Africa are awaiting for Ireland, in what might be viewed as an unofficial conclusion to last year's tied multiple match series on rival territory.

Farrell's team will need to reach another level to defeat the back-to-back title holders, but the recent defeat of the Wallabies was a significant step in the correct path after an disappointing start to their autumn schedule.