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After their previous underwhelming performance against Japan, Andy Farrell told his Ireland team to improve their game.

The team listened immediately.

Ireland had faded late against the All Blacks and required most of the match to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, facing the Wallabies, they began strongly, with Mack Hansen shining most prominently during a comprehensive triumph that marked Ireland's finest display of the season.

Making his debut international start at full-back, Hansen scored a hat-trick, competed brilliantly for high balls and performed outstandingly against the country of his birth.

"Look, I've had a fairly difficult run with injuries honestly," Hansen stated.

"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 team and this feels like home.

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

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

Manager stated: 'Good athletes require no justifications'

Following 28 appearances on the flank, the player was given the full-back position for the initial time with several teammates unavailable.

For him, it was essentially a matter of continuing where he left off during the summer.

The 28-year-old had been in excellent form before injury ended his dream of making the international squad.

After come back recently, he suffered a lower body injury that ruled him out for previous matches.

The coach had indicated that the player was especially motivated and these proved not empty words as the former provincial player gave his manager a positive selection dilemma for future matches.

"Well my first reaction were, 'You better play excellently in those two colored shoes!'," said Farrell, alluding to the player's decision to wear different boots.

"Actually I believed that was fitting but it seems Hansen just did that personally anyway. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I said to him before the match, 'Good players don't need excuses, they can perform and just be themselves, you can get the player of the game if you want,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"So he's that kind of performer, he prepares well, he's has a excellent attitude to get across his detail and so that's why he slotted straight back in and he was able to be himself because of that."

The player's efforts also received commendation from the opposing coach, who stated he was the "exceptional Australian performer" on the evening.

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

"Unfortunately, Mack was likely the best Australian player on the field. He's has a excellent skillset and he's such a strong contender."

When asked about what enables the player a strong option at full-back, the coach continued: "Showing up in the center of the pitch is a trait that he demonstrates from the flank anyway, but I suppose he's more in place for that more often.

"His high ball work was brilliant, don't you think? I thought we persisted of executing the correct approach and that was placing the possession back on them to gain territory.

"The reason that was the correct strategy to do is because it's the likes of Mackie who was getting the balls returned, and other teammates, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

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

Another player was excellent on his comeback to the fly-half jersey, the set piece and throw-in operated effectively and another player did not appear uncomfortable in his first appearance in the front row.

But perhaps more satisfying for the manager was Ireland bookending the game with multiple impressive spells.

Hansen's first two tries occurred in the opening eleven minutes while other teammates registered in the final exchanges after the other team had crossed, guaranteeing the home side concluded on a positive note.

"In my opinion we really let ourselves go and attacked the match right from the word go," said the coach.

"How we managed numerous elements throughout the game, especially the opposition coming back just before the break and regathering ourselves and giving a performance like we achieved in the later stages, I thought as far as territory and being familiar with most of our strategy in that later period was really pleasing."

The strength of South Africa are awaiting for the team, in what might be considered as an unofficial decider to last year's drawn multiple match contest on opposition soil.

The coach's side will require to attain a higher standard to defeat the back-to-back title holders, but Saturday's victory of the Wallabies was a important step in the right path after an disappointing start to their autumn campaign.