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

Ireland responded right away.

Ireland had faded late against the All Blacks and required most of the match to get going versus Japan.

However, facing Australia, they began strongly, with Mack Hansen shining most prominently during a 46-19 triumph that marked Ireland's finest display of the season.

Making his debut international appearance at full-back, Hansen registered a three tries, contested excellently for aerial challenges and played exceptionally against the nation of his birth.

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

"I missed being in this squad, I know there's much discussion about me not necessarily being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this group and this seems like family.

"Whenever I have to play for Ireland it's a privilege, if you don't put in a performance you may not receive that opportunity again.

"My entire focus this week was to take the field and perform what I could do."

Coach stated: 'Good players don't need justifications'

Following twenty-eight caps on the wing, Hansen was given the full-back role for the first time with several players unavailable.

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

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

Having come back recently, he developed a foot injury that made him unavailable for previous matches.

Farrell had suggested that the player was especially motivated and these proved not empty statements as the ex- provincial player gave his coach a positive team dilemma for upcoming matches.

"Well my initial reaction were, 'You better play well in those different colored shoes!'," commented Farrell, referring to the player's decision to sport different footwear.

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

"I told to him before the game, 'Excellent athletes don't need justifications, they can perform and just play naturally, you can get the man of the match if you want,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that type of performer, he prepares thoroughly, he's has a excellent attitude to get across his preparation and thus that's why he slotted right into the team and he was capable to be himself because of that."

Hansen's efforts also earned commendation from the rival manager, who remarked he was the "exceptional Australian performer" on the evening.

"I thought he was super, his knowledge showed to the front," said the ex- international coach.

"Regrettably, Mack was probably the best opposition performer on the pitch. He's has a great skillset and he's such a strong competitor."

When asked about what makes the player a strong option at full-back, Farrell added: "Showing up in the middle of the pitch is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing regardless, but I suppose he's better in position for that frequently.

"His aerial work was brilliant, wasn't it? I thought we persisted of doing the right thing and that was placing the ball again on them to secure territory.

"Why that was the right thing to do is because it's the players of Hansen who was getting the possessions returned, and additional players, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Beyond Hansen, there were multiple encouraging aspects for the coach.

Another player was outstanding on his return to the fly-half position, the set piece and throw-in functioned effectively and different teammate did not appear uncomfortable in his first start in the front row.

But perhaps most satisfying for the manager was Ireland framing the game with two impressive spells.

The player's initial couple of tries occurred in the opening eleven moments while additional players registered in the final stages after the other team had scored, ensuring the Irish team finished on a positive note.

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

"How we managed numerous elements throughout the match, particularly the opposition responding just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and producing a performance like we did in the second half, I thought as far as territory and being familiar with the majority of our strategy in that later period was truly pleasing."

The strength of South Africa are next up for the team, in what might be viewed as an unofficial conclusion to the previous season's drawn two-Test contest on rival territory.

Farrell's team will need to reach another standard to beat the back-to-back world champions, but Saturday's victory of the Wallabies was a important step in the right path after an disappointing beginning to their fall schedule.